Christmas song misogyny taught to kids

[kindnessmatters]

We need to stop the misogyny of words in everyday life, that lets men think that they can do whatever they want against and to women
The words of this christmas song seem to strongly show coercion and rape:
What do you think? How can we prevent such words continuing to be used ?
How can we stop these creepy sickening words be taught to children in schools, churches and community choirs please?
Gabriel’s Message
The angel Gabriel from heaven came,
His wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame:
"All hail said he, thou lowly maiden Mary,
Most highly favoured lady." Gloria!
"For known a blessed mother thou shalt be,
All generations laud and honour thee;
Thy son shall be Emmanuel, by seers foretold,
Most highly favoured lady." Gloria!
The gentle Mary meekly bowed her head;
"To me be as it pleaseth God," she said.
"My soul shall laud and magnify God’s holy name."
Most highly favoured lady." Gloria!
Of her, Emmanuel, the Christ, was born
In Bethlehem all on a Christmas morn,
And Christian folk through-out the world will ever say:
"Most highly favoured lady." Gloria!
My friend has tried to ask an otherwise-seemingly-good-choir-master (male) not to use them, but has been ignored

You could all refuse to sing it.

I think the OP needs to join another choir. Im sure there are plenty where the songs are more along the lines of 'rocking around the Christmas tree' and there'll be no danger of singing a beautiful setting based on an ancient text

The choir leader initially uses the words ' highly Flavoured Gravy..! so we were lulled into it not being religious. . .

Thank you Freya, that might be one solution. Though I resent that such words are being used in front of men and women children which still show misogyny as acceptable norm in society

I am glad to hear! ❤️ Many people sadly are very misinformed about Islam and don’t understand it for what it truly is.

Well .... there's your issue then. The wording of this particular hymn is a red herring really I think .

Sorry I was replying above to @TheLeadbetterLife

Yep!
but I love the music for this carol…one of my favourites and a please to sing.

hey ho…there other misogynistic shit I’d get cross about and this ain’t one of them.

The whole church is pretty misogynistic still - even though Jesus’birth and resurrection are very women led stories.

Rock around the christmas tree is good choice. As for 'ancient text' it was a translation from a 12 or 13th century poem from Spain translated by vicar who also wrote numerous hymns. I agree the music is beautiful - but the words make me feel sick. Singing can help us heal past trauma's but not with these words..

Though I resent that such words are being used in front of men and women children which still show misogyny as acceptable norm in society

As several people have clearly shown, there is no misogyny in the song and its Biblical origins. God sends a message to a human and that human is overjoyed about it.

The choirmaster, on the other hand....

I would like that - everyone saying they refuse - but most people, women and men, dont like to stick their heads above the parapet, even when they agree with me individually... even wives of such men dont want to cause trouble, upset the apple cart, disagree with men as men can be loud and aggressive - often easier to say nothing and agree for a peaceful situation - so it all continues... :(

'As for 'ancient text' it was a translation from a 12 or 13th century poem from Spain translated by vicar who also wrote numerous hymns'

I know. Did you not realise that the poem was based on the Magnificat which is indeed an ancient text?

If he’s the choir mater..”this man” does have choice of what you sing. Sort of point of choir master. Mainly because if he tries a democratic process, musical preferences are so diverse, he’d never get consensus and you’ll still be pissing around trying to agree your repertoire long after Xmas.
I expect he has chosen it to provide a bit of a challenge to the choir to learn, and blend as a whole repertoire for the performance. For choir masters it’s all about the music, parts, harmonies and very little to do with words.

Sad as he is otherwise a brilliant and fun leader - - on his terms... so often the way!

it's not unreasonable to be annoyed that an ostensibly non-religious choir is doing a religious song, but you just vote with your feet and leave if it's important.

biggest bit of misogyny in the bible is in Numbers 5:11-31 instructions for how to tell if your wife has been unfaithful if you can't prove it - the priest gets her to drink poisoned water and her guilt or innocence is proven by whether or not she gets sick. don't think those verses have been made into an uplifting hymn though.

Seriously, if it makes you feel sick then the best option is to find another choir.

It's been explained numerous times that there is nothing linking this song to rape. It's based on the words of the Magnificat which tells of Mary feeling greatly privileged to be specially chosen to give birth to the Messiah without having sex. Intelligent analysis and understanding is key here.

I mean, religion is all pretty sexist isn't it? Maybe become an atheist? 🤷🏻‍♀️

Just about to post the same thing... my 10 year old DD who is a cathedral chorister often walks round the house singing this in its many variations. It's Mary's triumph and her power- she actively said yes to being the Mother of God and will be revered for all generations.

I personally think it's beautiful and Mary's power has been a source of strength to Christian women throughout the ages.

Sad truth - men ruling women's lives - until enough of us speak up

It's not a religious group. She's said that.

Vote with your feet then and leave.

Have to say though, if I were a concert-goer I'd far sooner listen to this beautiful Basque folk carol than rocking around the flipping Christmas tree

This is the Annunciation which is revered by the Catholic Christians and other Christians. It’s a beautiful event and relevant to Christmas because this is where Mary accepts to be the mother of Jesus whose birth we celebrate on Christmas Day!

Yes - ancient text written by men in the society of the time and the way they saw women's lives. I believe it was Islam started that the position of women in society was considered as in need of an upgrade. With Islam, it became illegal to bury girl babies and Moslems were advised to respect their mothers and always say their mother's names twice to show their value as double that of their fathers. Of course, how any culture practises it's religion is not always what was originally written/ laid down...

Even Rocking Around The Christmas Tree includes the line 'we'll do some caroling' - with carols (not strictly but almost universally) accepted as referring to religious songs.

Maybe the songwriter intended to sing RATCT and then immediately follow it up with this song about Mary?!

You can't control what the others do. If you find it objectionable you can leave.

There are thousands of 'non-religious' choirs in the UK that will nevertheless do Christmas music which is, by its very nature, going to include Christian themes and words.

Not sure why you're continuing to object to this piece specifically when so many have explained it to you.