SAN DIEGO — I have met other people who can recall song lyrics from the 1950’s on, but none, absolutely none, whose memory is as phenomenal as that of Judy Gumbiner, the retired San Diego State University director of career services.
With the High Holy Days approaching, soon thereafter to be followed by Succot and Simcha Torah, Judy and I were discussing the impressions of the Jewish Bible that a popular music fan might derive from pop music and Broadway show tunes.
Here are some of the “lessons” we (mostly she) came up with:
Genesis 2:23-25
It started long ago in the Garden of Eden
When Adam said to Eve, baby, you’re for me
So come on baby let’s start today, come on baby let’s play
The game of love, love, la la la la la love
—Game of Love (Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders)
Genesis 6: 11-18
Build an ark you got to head for the open water
Save your sons and your daughters
Build an ark
Build an ark when the storm is ended
You’ll know the world has been mended
Build an ark
—Build an Ark (Paul Evans – Gaither Vocal Band)
Genesis 8: 9-12
When Noah had drifted on the flood many days
He searched for land in various ways
Troubles, he had some, but he wasn’t forgotten
He sent him his love
On the wings of a dove
—Wings of a Dove (Ferlin Husky)
Exodus 10:24/ 14:21
When Moses softened Pharaohs heart, that was a miracle.
When God made the waters of the red sea part, that was a miracle too!
–Miracle of Miracles from ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ (Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick)
Joshua 6: 20
Wonder of wonders, miracle of miracles-
I was afraid that God would frown,
But like he did so long ago, at Jericho,
God just made a wall fall down!
–Miracle of Miracles from ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ (Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick)
I Samuel 16:23
Now I’ve heard there was a secret chord
That David played, and it pleased the Lord
But you don’t really care for music, do you?
–Hallelujah (Leonard Cohen)
I Samuel 17: 48-50
If little, little David hadn’t grabbed that stone
Alyin’ there on the ground
Big Goliath might’ve stomped on him
Instead of the other way ’round
But he had timin’
A tick, a tick, a tick, good timin’
A tock, a tock, a tock, a tock
A timin’ is the thing
It’s true, good timin’ brought me to you
— Good Timin’ (Jimmy Jones)
I Samuel 17: 48:50/ Exodus
When David slew Goliath (yes!), that was a miracle.
When God gave us manna in the wilderness, that was a miracle too. But of all God’s miracles large and small,
The most miraculous one of all
Is the one I thought could never be:
God has given you to me.
–Miracle of Miracles from ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ (Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick)
II Samuel 11:2-5
Your faith was strong but you needed proof
You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you
–Hallelujah (Leonard Cohen)
Book of Ruth/ Book of Esther
May you be like Ruth and like Esther.
May you be deserving of praise.
Strengthen them, Oh Lord,
And keep them from the strangers’ ways.
–Sabbath Prayer from ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ (Jerry Bock)
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
To Everything (Turn, Turn, Turn)
There is a season (Turn, Turn, Turn)
And a time for every purpose, under Heaven
A time to be born, a time to die
A time to plant, a time to reap
A time to kill, a time to heal
A time to laugh, a time to weep
–Turn! Turn! Turn! (Pete Seeger)
Daniel 6:15-23
Wonder of wonders, miracle of miracles-
God took up Daniel once again,
Stood by his side and- miracle of miracles-
Walked him through the lions den!
–Miracle of Miracles from ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ (Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick)
*
Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World. He may be contacted via donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com If you have any lyrics to add from well-known songs, please feel free to do so in the comment section below.
great, thanks