Songs in Books

Once upon a time, there were songs in books, and we had no idea how the tune went if we didn’t know the song. Sometimes, they would tell you that this was a made-up song sung to the tune of “Old MacDonald,” but more often than not, if it were an actual song, they would assume the reader would know it. For example, “Amazing Grace.” And some kids knew it, but some kids didn’t. I was one of those children who often didn’t, but because I was a good, rule-following child when I encountered a song in a book that I did not know, I guessed the tune. And then I sang the words in that tune to myself while reading.

Occasionally, one pops into my head — especially if it was in a book I re-read a lot — but now I can Google it. I first record myself singing or humming the tune so I don’t forget what I originally thought, and then I Google the song to see how far off I was. I really like my version of “Oh, You Can’t Get to Heaven” better.

Now, when I see a song, I click the title in the e-book, and it opens a Google search so I can listen to it while I’m reading. So I guess there won’t be a generation singing alternative tunes to popular songs now that people can get everything correct. And maybe it’s silly, but I think sometimes I miss out by knowing the correct tune.