The letter that follows was e-mailed to me today, January 19, 2015 by Oscar P. Lagman Jr., former MBA professor and currently BusinessWorld columnist, who occasionally contributes commentary about English usage to the Forum:
Dear Joe,
It is very obvious that the lyrics of the inspirational song “We are All God’s Children” are not the product of inspiration. They are a hodgepodge of lines with no logical connection. They are the result of a vain attempt at rhyme and rhythm.
I would feel immensely embarrassed if it is promoted in English-speaking countries as the theme song of Pope Francis’ visit to the Philippines.
Here are my comments on the lyrics:
Do you see these children on the streets? Why ask this if you give them alms? See
third line.
Have you walked the pavements where they sleep?
Do you feel their hands when you give them alms? No, because one drops or places the alms
on the palm.
Did you ever give them bread to eat? “Bread” is a Western term. It should be
food.
Have you seen their homes washed by the floods? No, they have been washed away by the
flood.
While a mother tightly holds her child
Do you hear the wind of the raging storm? What is the relevance of this?
Can you tell them where it’s coming from? Another irrelevant question. And who is
“them”?
Let us show our love and mercy
With true kindness and humility ”True” is unnecessary in the context of
love and mercy.
For God loves the weak and the needy
Just like you and me You and I are like who, God or the
weak and needy?
CHORUS:
We are all God’s children
We are all the same
He is calling us by name to help the poor and lame So we are not the same after all.
And learn what life is really for
It’s to KNOW and LOVE and SERVE the LORD What about loving and serving the
poor and lame?
Stand together and let’s do our part
Hear their voices mend their broken hearts How do voices mend broken hearts?
Choose to be brave fight for their rights
Give them back their honor and their pride ) Why, when they can mend their hearts
themselves
Do not be blind and just leave them behind ) with their voices?
To struggle in darkness or give them empty promises. Promises, empty or not, are made not
given.
CHORUS:
We are all God’s children
We are all the same
He is calling us by name to help the poor and lame
And learn what life is really for
It’s to KNOW and LOVE and SERVE the LORD
It’s to KNOW and LOVE and SERVE the LORD
It’s to KNOW and LOVE and SERVE the LORD
Oscar Lagman
