Sometimes all we know of a song is the chorus. If we don't know the words to the rest of the song, or the words are in a language we don't understand, it can be a big surprise to hear the entire song, and realize that it's quite different than we thought.
Here's an example. When I was in a folk singing group, this was a song we thought we loved and wanted to sing. But when we read the lyrics, instead of sunshine, we saw something darker. What did he mean by "you'll regret it all some day?" Was that a threat? Creepy.
You Are My Sunshine
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine You make me happy when skies are grey You’ll never know dear, how much I love you Please don’t take my sunshine away
The other night dear, as I lay sleeping I dreamed I held you in my arms When I awoke, dear, I was mistaken And I hung my head and cried
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine You make me happy when skies are grey You’ll never know dear, how much I love you Please don’t take my sunshine away
I’ll always love you and make you happy If you will only say the same But if you leave me to love another You’ll regret it all some day
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine You make me happy when skies are grey You’ll never know dear, how much I love you Please don’t take my sunshine away
You told me once dear, you really loved me And no one else dear, could come between But now you’ve left me and love another You have shattered all my dreams
Here's another song, one that most children learn. It has a upbeat melody and it's easy to sing. For those of us who do not speak French, all we hear is a charming children's song. Seems harmless enough. But the lyrics tell another story. They describe torturing a poor little bird!
Alouette
Lyrics in French with English translation:
Alouette, gentille Alouette
Lark, nice lark Alouette, je te plumerai
Lark, I shall pluck you Je te plumerai la tête
I shall pluck your head (Je te plumerai la tête)
(I shall pluck your head) Et la tête
And your head (Et la tête)
(And your head) Alouette
Lark (Alouette)
(Lark) O-o-o-oh Alouette, gentille AlouetteAlouette, je te plumerai Je te plumerai le bec
I shall pluck your beak (Je te plumerai le bec)
Et le bec (Et le bec)
Et la tête (Et la tête)
Alouette (Alouette)
O-o-o-oh
The song continues like this, with the italicized phrase (a part of the bird) in each verse being substituted with a new one, with the previous items being recited at the end:
Et le cou
And your neck
Et le dos
And your back
Et les ailes
And your wings
Et les pattes
And your feet
Et la queue
And your tail La Conclusion
The Ending
O-o-o-o-oh
Alouette, gentille Alouette
Lark, nice lark Alouette, je te plumerai
Are there songs you have made similar discoveries about? Tell us about them in the comments.
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