[Dixielandjazz] Sacred Tunes in a Secular Setting (was: free Trad Jazz arrangement)

[David Richoux]

As was discussed here a few years ago, the lyrics to "Gilligan's  
Island" fit right in to the "Amazing Grace" tune (but it does not seem  
to work as well the other way around.)

I do know that several major New Orleans musicians chose not to "jazz  
up" any religious based songs - can't remember their names right now.   
We ("And That's Jazz") do a moderately swinging version of "Amazing  
Grace" sometimes, but not "Old Rugged Cross."

Dave Richoux

On Jan 12, 2009, at 11:25 AM, James O'Briant wrote:

> Kent Murdick wrote:
>
>>> Here's a trad jazz arrangement of an up tempo "Amazing
>>> Grace" I made for 8-12 grade. ...
>
> Ron Wheeler replied:
>
>> Hmmm... Up-tempo Amazing Grace.  What's next... Old Rugged
>> Cross Cha Cha?
>
> This brings up an interesting topic: the use, in secular venues
> and situations, of sacred melodies (that is, melodies that almost
> always have sacred lyrics and are considered by most listeners to
> be "church music).
>
> For example, I have a recording (from the '30's?) of a song that's
> labeled "Black Eyed Peas" on the CD.  I don't recall the band or
> the singer.  The lyrics are:
>
> 	Just a bowl of Black-eyed Peas,
> 	Plate of ham hocks if you please.
> 	Salt and pepper makes me sneeze.
> 	Just a bowl of Black-eyed Peas.
>
> The tune, however, is "Just a Closer Walk With Thee."  I've been
> in one situation where a musician objected to playing this tune in
> a secular venue with the secular lyrics.  He considered it
> sacrilegious, or at least disrespectful, to use what he considers
> a "church song" with the above lyrics.
>
> Anyone else run into issues like this, either with performers or
> audiences?
>
> Thanks!
>
> Jim O'Briant
> Tuba
> Gilroy.