Where words fail, music speaks.
-Hans Christian Anderson-
I know many speech pathologists enjoy incorporating music in therapy. I want to start using more of it in my own work with students. We understand the power a melody has to anchor language in our brains. It’s the reason people my age know how to spell a certain brand of hotdog and the way a bill gets made into a law. (I’m just a bill. Yes, I’m only a bill. And I’m sitting here on Capitol Hill….)
Music is a language that speaks to our brains as well as our souls. There is something magical that occurs when the right lyric finds its melody.
A song has the ability to communicate what mere words sometimes fail to deliver.
As a lover of all things speech and language, this makes me sit up in wonder.
When was the last time you leaned in and allowed a song to speak to your soul?
I admit to being an audiobook and podcast junkie. Bring on the stories to teach and entertain. In the car, on long walks, as dirty dish companions.
But if I go too long without sinking into some good music I begin to feel dehydrated, thirsty for words that are sung rather than spoken.
When we first moved out to our ranch ten years ago, I was way more involved in the push and pull of everyday life with cattle than I am now. I’ve been released from many of the chores thanks to our hard working ranch manager. But helping with hay season is one job I am slow to let go. It’s my favorite time of year to live in the country. There is something elegant and deeply satisfying about cutting, raking and stacking baled hay under a summer sky.
I remember one especially hot Sunday afternoon spent in our fields hauling big round bales up to the barn. I drove the truck and hay trailer while my husband drove the tractor. Searching through all the radio stations I serendipitously landed on FM gold: a full-length interview with Plumb, highlighting her new album. A collection of lullabies might be a strange thing to be captivated by, I know. But this was the kind of music that told a story and transcended any age group. The sounds and words accompanying me that afternoon stay fresh to this day.
That album became part of my youngest daughter’s bedtime routine and when I listen to this song I’m transported back in time. Its language and tune bring a kind of peace that’s unexplainable.
You don’t have to be a talented singer or skilled musician to need the language of song.
Music is such an integral part of a human’s overall language experience.
Songs have the capacity to put in a pin in our story at a particular time and place, enabling us to revisit each time we listen.
They deliver us over to the emotion of a singular moment, to express a heart cry we can’t speak on our own.
They propel us forward, heal us from the inside out, articulate our battle cries for new beginnings.
Music ushers us into the holy space of worship.
Thinking through these connections fill me with fresh appreciation and awe. Can you believe this gift of language we’ve been given? May you rediscover the healing power found in the language of a simple song.
Here are a few fun song links:
- This past year I had one of the “big” birthdays. For kicks, I created this playlist that feels like the
soundtrack to my life. It makes me feel all the feels, reliving big and small moments. I think everyone should do this regardless of birthdays. Spotify, thank you for being our happy music place. - I’ll admit to being kind of picky about my musicals. It’s GOT to be story over song. La La Land and The Greatest Showman nail both. Check out these youtube twists that will have you singing and dancing like a crazy person.
- The Hamilton playlist is on constant repeat these days at our house.We are getting ready. Our youngest turns 17 this week and begged for tickets in St. Louis later this spring. Can’t wait to see this absolute linguistic masterpiece.
What are some of your favorites? Please share!
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