Years ago when I was animating some groups I'd, at some point or the other, teach them the popular action song 'When you're happy and you know it...' It has a simple tune and children and young people love it. However, a few days ago I came across a conversation discussing the historical origin of this particular song. Someone in the group stated that this was actually a parody of the highly ritualistic Eucharistic celebration. Someone in the modern era who attended the Mass tried his best to describe what was going on at the altar through this song. I checked the wikipedia to see if that was true. Its narration had nothing close to it. However, some oral tradition here in Britain holds the former view about the origin of the song.
In this context remember Fr Maliekal and Fr Palli expressing their displeasure with us Salesians going around singing all these action songs. Their basic critique was that rather than use precious animation moments to pass on values and principles we were merely entertaining them with song and dance. At the end of the day, the participants return home happy and having enjoyed the day but nothing really substantive. They constantly appealed that we use songs which conveyed a message and not merely nice tunes. A valid point indeed. I've always used games in all my animations, especially with young people. However, not one of them is merely for entertainment. Every game or story or riddle would be the basis of driving home a message or conveying a value.
In this context remember Fr Maliekal and Fr Palli expressing their displeasure with us Salesians going around singing all these action songs. Their basic critique was that rather than use precious animation moments to pass on values and principles we were merely entertaining them with song and dance. At the end of the day, the participants return home happy and having enjoyed the day but nothing really substantive. They constantly appealed that we use songs which conveyed a message and not merely nice tunes. A valid point indeed. I've always used games in all my animations, especially with young people. However, not one of them is merely for entertainment. Every game or story or riddle would be the basis of driving home a message or conveying a value.
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