Children are wonderful. They hear what we say, and they say what they hear. That goes for singing, too.
Everyone has heard about that mysterious character called "Round John Virgin", who appears each Christmas in the ever popular "Silent Night". For years, I thought he was part of the Nativity Scene!
Perhaps you have heard about the child who learned the Pledge of Allegiance, proudly stating, "... one nation, and a vegetable, under God." That poor kid probably didn't eat his green beans either!
Another popular individual that appears at the beginning of ball games is Jose, the one to whom the question is asked, "Jose, can you see?"
The Lord's Prayer has suffered many interpolations as well. My favorites are "Give us this day our jelly bread." and "Lead us not into Penn Station."
That's not as violent as "There is a bomb in Gilead." Heaven forbid!
The problem is universal, of course, and our friends in England are often hearing their children proclaim, "God shave the Queen!". How embarrassing!
"Gladly, the Cross-eyed Bear!" shows up from time to time, as does Harold. Who is Harold? Don't know, but he is part of the Lord's Prayer and a regular Christmas guest: "Our Father Who art in heaven, Harold be thy name." and "Hark the Harold Angels Sing." Must be a new choir in town.
In case you wondered, we have evidence that the shepherds were not just watching their sheep that night, for it has been clearly sung over and over "While shepherds washed their socks by night." Well, why not?
Yes, children are wonderful. And this is the season for our children to recall once again the ageless story of that first Christmas. May the message be clear, may the joy be real, and may Harold bless you, everyone.
