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

Highly flavoured gravy, a favourite of choristers.

The words of songs both liturgical and secular can be pretty dubious, at least this one is older! The lyrics of contemporary music can be worse

Baby It’s Cold Outside is not and was not ever written to be a “date rape” song. It’s so ridiculous. It was sung by a husband and wife duo and SHE adored the song.

Did none of you ever flirt when you were younger? Have you genuinely never acted coy? Have you honestly never said “Ohhh I shouldn’t stay” when you actually wanted to?

Fair enough change the word opportunistic if the meaning worries you in today’s context but don’t completely destroy a beautiful song because of gloomy cries of sexism. It’s just trying to see the negativity in everything!

some things actually ARE unhealthy and sexist. A flirtatious song is not.

and “say what’s in this drink” is literally not her actually asking whether he has put a drug in her drink lol.

@kindnessmatters this is getting a tad tiresome.

Of course the entire musical canon is a result of historical and cultural contexts. If you can't handle that, stop singing and in fact stop listening to music too. That'll sort it.

But accept the fact that other people understand how music and texts come about and are able to apply intelligent analysis. It's pretty controlling of you to want to stop other people from singing and appreciating certain music.

@Alopeciabop just because it's not intended that way doesn't mean that's not how it's interpreted

yes

Well it’s now quite clear to me that your post is a thin veiled attempt to hatred against Christianity and Christians.

Yes think you for your understanding girlmom21

Yes older words - it is the fact they a certain man is asking that 50+people sing it now, in 2022! when creepy to many of us

No, but I did sing about the shepherds washing their socks by night. How very modern.

Tervan. Your misunderstanding of my words - I find that organised religions of all types are not what they could be and 99% controlled by (often) misogynist men

No, but I did sing about the shepherds washing their socks by night. How very modern.

While shepherds washed their socks by night
All seated by the tub
A bar of Sunlight soap appeared
And they began to scrub

The lyrics of contemporary music can be worse

Indeed. Maybe the choir could sing WAP instead - no religious themes there, so should be fine....

I find that organised religions of all types are not what they could be and 99% controlled by (often) misogynist men

You're free to set up and organise your own new religion exactly how you think it should be, if you want to - nobody is stopping you.

OP is it possible for you to just sit out of the songs you're not comfortable with?

Agree.

And I always interpreted it as Gabriel giving a prophecy, nothing worse.

YABU

It's not.
There's threads on this every year
She wants to stay.

There's threads on this every year
She wants to stay.

She doesn't say she wants to stay, though. She repeatedly says she wants to leave and he keeps pushing her to stay.

Imagine choir practice:

"Could we sing Rockin' around the Christmas tree instead of a rather beautiful folk carol based on an ancient text?"

Crying!

She's acting coy due to societal norms.
"Hey, what's in this drink" was a well used joke at the time.
She wants to stay but is worried about what her family will think.
A quick Google will clear this up.

Super weird vibes from an OP only hearing what they want to hear in the responses.

@Meseekslookatme that's not an excuse anymore.

If you rape someone you can't say "oh she was playing coy, she wanted it really."
If you keep someone detained against their will you can't say it either.

I know the intention behind the song. That doesn't make it less creepy.

This song is the tip of a humongous iceberg when it comes to misogyny in Christianity! Best just to avoid the whole thing.

Let's just expunge history then just in case someone interprets it badly shrug

Raising awareness is what I was trying to do - but so many wanted to quote their understanding of Christianity as written by men over a long time.. rather than look at the issue of misogyny...

Yes, that is what some of us have done - BUT the issue of raising awareness more widely. That is what is most important - and that those who have been harmed by such creepy 'wont take no for an answer' men in the past shouldn't have to sing - or hear other people sing such triggering words...