I recently read a comment in Touchstone magazine deploring the way we so quickly change historical poetry and song lyrics to fit with today's political correctness. The hymn in question was "Amazing Grace" and the lyric that traditionally goes: "That saved a wretch like me" had been changed to "That saved a soul like me". The change of wretch to soul not only needlessly sanitizes the hymn, but it changes the theology in a subtle way as well. I have noted this displeasing trend at my workplace as well, and I wonder when people will have had enough and just say stop wrecking the poetry of these wonderful old hymns.
Robert Burns's poetry has always struck me very rough and ready. It seems to me that he is not politically correct at all. When all the Scots, Scot descendants, and Scot poseurs gather for Burns Night in a few years, I wonder if the poetry of Burns will have survived intact, or if we will hear something like the following.
Friends Wha Hae
Friends, wha hae wi' Wallace talked,
Friends, wham Bruce has aften walked,
Welcome tae your comfy bed,
Or tae a cup of tea!
'Now's the day, and now's the hour:
See the front o' friendship tower,
See approach good Edward also-
Club biscuits and reverie!
'Wha will bring a pretty cup?
Wha with tea will fill it up?
Wallace, Bruce, and Edward sup.
Such friendship amongst the three!
'Wha, for friendship's companion and law,
Happiness's pen will strongly draw,
Free people stand, or Free people sit down,
Let him talk wi' me!
'By Friendship's esteem and acclaim!
By your child in happiness remain!
We will drain our mug again,
But they shall be free!
'Lay the empty cuppa low!
We chatted happily, don't you know!
Friendship is in everyone! -
Let us do our best!'
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