Sing! The Power of Music

I love to sing!

In this post I'm talking about music and the way it plays an important role in all our lives.

 “Music is life itself.”--Louis Armstrong, jazz trumpeter (1901-1971)

Every culture around the world has some form of music. One could say that it is a universal language. It can bring us all together, make us cry, laugh, or want to go to war. Wherever you go, music exists, whether man-made or in nature.


Regardless of what style of music you enjoy listening to, all music has the power to affect our lives in both positive and negative ways. According to Harvard Health,  "The neurobiology of music is a highly specialized field...music also has major effects on many aspects of health, ranging from memory and mood to cardiovascular function and athletic performance." For more on the possible effects of music on your health, read the full Harvard Health article here.

And here's an interesting story on the power of music and how it helps relax and heal us, from NPR.

There have been many world events that have used music to further their message. During many wars throughout time, there have been different forms of music involved. Instruments like horns, trumpets, and drums have been used to call soldiers to arms and keep morale up in the midst of battle. And back on the home front music has been used to both show approval of the war and resistance to it.

For a fascinating look into the use of music during wartime, read HistoryNet's article here.

Music has also played an important role in cultural revolutions and political movements. From the cultural revolution in China to the Civil Rights Movement in America in the 1960s, many people turned to music either for or against the current regimes and ideologies of the day.

"In every era, music has reflected—and shaped—social and cultural change, political choices, and mass protest and support for government policies." Read more about this idea on the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History site here.

Besides being used for wars and revolutions, and effecting our health, music can also be a powerful way to bring people together in peaceful ways. People the world over, regardless of what language they speak, often recognize melodies and can sing along to songs not in their own language. Music transcends words, and while words are important, sometimes the music itself is the most powerful thing.

" There is something about music that seems to bring us closer to each other and help us come together as a community" For more on how music helps us bond together as people, read the article found on The Greater Good Magazine website written by people at the University of California Berkeley here.

Music is also a great way to worship the God who created us all. All the major world religions have shared music that people recognize wherever they go. Music is a way we can join together and praise God for all the many blessings we experience in this life, as well as to cry out to God for help during times of trouble. For an overview on music and worship in America throughout time and cultures, go here.

It's not just people who make music, but many other creatures on this planet we share do as well!
From songbirds to whales, many animals make musical sounds. For a cool article about some of them, go here!

If one listens closely, you can also hear music in the wind blowing through the trees and the grass, and in the sound of rain hitting the roof or ground, and even the musical sound of water flowing down a stream or roaring in the ocean!

The world is full of music, if one has an ear to hear!

And lastly, here are a few of my own contributions to the world of music:

First, a Celtic worship song, In Christ Alone:





 I also love the melody to this old medieval folk song, Scarborough Fair:

Learn more about the history of this song here!

Even just practicing some vocal acrobatics from time to time is fun!



I encourage everyone, regardless of musical ability, to try singing and playing music from time to time! As we have seen, music is a powerful way to draw us closer together and helps us share this experience of life:)