From: lgseib@aol.com
Sender: "lgseib" 
Errors-To: 
Reply-To: 
To: st0o+@andrew.cmu.edu
Date: Mon, 20 Dec 93 01:01:39 EST
Subject: What God demands

A friend in my church is researching Ozark folk-songs, and one day sent me
this one. It's interest (and the reason I'm sharing it) is that it gives us
some persective on how Christians' sense of what God wants of us changes
along with changes in culture. That a cultural idea can become an absolute
imperative in the church, only later to prove temporary, ought to give us
pause at those times when we interpret the divine will in order to enforce it
on others. The notes are from a book called _Ozark Folk Songs_.

"This delightful homiletic was written and composed by West Virginia musician
and preacher Blind Alfred Reed and recorded by him in 1927 (Victor 21360); it
was so successful that he followed it with 'Why Do You Bob Your Hair, Girls,
No. 2" (Victor 40196), recorded in 1929.... Ozark recordings: Laura Wasson
(AFS 5392 B2*), Ollie Gilbert (MFH 914).


Why do you bob your hair, girls?
You're doing mighty wrong;
God gave it for a glory
And you should wear it long.
You spoil your lovely hair, girls,
You keep yourself in style;
Before you bob you hair, girls,
Just stop and think a while.

Why do you bob your hair, girls?
It is an awful shame
To rob the head God gave you
And bear the flapper's name
You're taking off your covering,
It is an awful sin;
Don't never bob you hair, girls,
Short hair belongs to men.


Why do you bob you hair, girls?
It does not look so nice;
It's just to be in fashion,
It's not the Lord's advice.
And every time you bob it
You're breaking God's commands
You cannot bob your hair, girls,
And reach the glory land.

Why do you bob you hair, girls?
It's not the thing to do;
Just wear it, always wear it,
And to the Lord be true.
And when before the judgement
You meet your Lord up there,
He'll say, 'Well done, for one thing
You never bobbed your hair.'