This quote is credited to Hans Christian Anderson. It means that anyone can give advice or comfort with words, but these words can sometimes fail to express one’s intention. Music, on the other hand, can help soothe in such circumstances.
I would like to have a different interpretation of this saying. My take is: when words fail us, music (especially singing) speaks.
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Good Public Speaking
I always admire people who have the gift of speech. I remember when George Yeo was Health Minister, I was simply enthralled at meetings when he spoke.
My father, who was very involved with the Toastmasters Club for decades, tried but failed to get me to join and learn public speaking. To me, it was like dying a thousand deaths.
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Pen Pusher
But once upon a time, I was a speechwriter at the Health Ministry. I much prefer to use my pen than my tongue. Crafting words and sentences with a chance to correct and improve them is preferable. Giving a speech without a script or just speaking off the cuff is fraught with the danger of the mind going blank or having dreadful moments (called senior moments when one is old) when the precise words fail to come to mind at the crucial moment. Blogging is therefore right down my garden path.
Singing is my Cup of Tea
My preference when asked to choose between speaking and singing is a no-brainer. I recall an official overseas trip when I was pulled by the club pianist to go up to the piano and sing. “I could have danced all night” just spilled out of my mouth naturally, without any hesitation or shyness.
I also recall using singing as a stress reliever when I was a medical student staying in KKH hostel. This was the only posting where it was compulsory to stay in the hostel, as we were required to deliver 20 babies to fulfill our quota as medical students. Many of these deliveries were done at night, as the days were full.
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Singing comes naturally to me after many years of choral singing, singing at informal gatherings and at home. I will continue to sing while I can. What is wonderful about singing is that one can pursue this activity even in our later years. We lose many abilities as we age, but most who sang when youthful can continue to do so for most of their lives. The caveat is that vocal cords thicken as we age, so you have to sing in a lower key. Just check out The Three Degrees, who reprised their glory days 45 years later with “ When will I see you again”. They now sing in a lower key. But they can still sing beautifully.
When words fail, music speaks.
Do read these related articles:
1- Your voice, the best musical instrument
2- We sang in the rainforest
Source: https://t-tees.com
Category: WHEN
