Music: The Song Within Us
William Fraser | Wellness Committee
Have you ever had an ‘ear worm’ — that is, when you have a song or a tune
stuck in your head and you find yourself humming or singing it,
almost without thinking? Although we finished our spring
concert a number of weeks ago, I still have Vivaldi’s
music stuck in my head.
Music is such an integral part
of our lives that we often don’t
realize the impact, value, and
benefi ts that music has for us.
There are tunes that can bring
us joy, courage, sadness, and
even feelings of adventure and
of pride.
It is well known that people
with Alzheimer’s disease may
not remember your name,
but they can sing an old song
along with you. When you can,
watch this YouTube video of
some seniors and how they
react to music: youtube.com/
watch?v=tyPDQpel8bI
Every culture has some form
of music, be it drum, wind,
string, or voice. Music is a
method of expressing emotion,
pride, joy, and reverence. Many
people like to make fun of
bagpipes, but play those pipes
to a group of Scots and they are
suddenly bursting with pride.
So strong was the feeling for the
pipes that in England’s attempt
to destroy Scottish culture,
the pipes and their music was
outlawed. Or play the “Star
Spangled Banner” and watch
how many American people will
suddenly stand and place their
hands over their hearts.
We use music to express our
love for one another and many
have a song that is ‘theirs’ — a
special song that they shared
at their wedding or another
special time. Playing that piece
of music moves you to want to
take that special someone and
start dancing. Many people
will request a special song or
hymn for their funeral because
it expresses their faith and is
a fi nal message to those left
behind. What would a campfi re
be without “Row, Row, Row
Your Boat” or “A Hundred
Bottles of Beer on the Wall”?
It has been shown that
music reduces stress and
lowers blood pressure. It can
even relieve some physical
pain and discomfort, help
to lift depression, and help
in achieving sleep. Music
can put us to sleep or it can
bring us fully awake. It is one
medicine that you don’t need a
prescription for, and it doesn’t
cost too much.
Put together your own
personal playlist of music. In
one fi le, put music that will
wakeyou up and recharge you; in
another fi le, put music that will
relax you and help you to sleep.
Yet another fi le might be a list of
music that makes you happy and
feel good. For me, “Does Your
Chewing Gum Lose Its Flavour
on the Bedpost Overnight” and
“I Want a Hippopotamus for
Christmas” may be silly, but
they do bring a smile to my lips.
When we are starting off on a
trip, I like to play Willie Nelson’s
“On the Road Again.” Still yet,
there may be a fi le of songs that
you like to sing along to. Use
these playlists to either match
your mood or to change it. With
playlists, the choice is yours.
Happy listening! ●
news&views AUTUMN 2018 | 59