"Cautionary" Songs of the 1950s

A while back, I recalled that during the late 1940s and early 1950s, students at P. S. 217 in Flatbush were force fed patriotic and religious music. I've now remembered (perhaps it's the DHA) that we were also indoctrinated with songs that could be called "cautionary."  For example: do not chase a bouncing ball into the street, because while you could get a new ball, but "you can't always get a new leg."

I also remember a lyric in which we were exhorted to solicit divine intervention, and which contained these deistic lines: "Pray in any language, to Him they all are dear/ Pray for it is music to His ear." It was this same song, I believe, in which we were allowed the ecumenical freedom to pray "in temple, mosque, or tabernacle,/ He won't need to search."  (I had heard of temples, but the word "mosque" was beyond my ken and "tabernacle" was a complete mystery, though it had warm associations with "pumpernickel.")

Does anyone out there in Bloglandia remember either of these songs?  Or other cautionary songs from the old days? They don't google. Any information or citations will be much appreciated.

Incidentally, despite the well-meant advice, I pursued many a rubber ball into the street. Nor was I ever once moved to pray in a consecrated building, except perhaps in Ebbets Field, and then only in tough ninth-inning situations. 

Comments

[PMG]

This is how I remember the song, which we sang in elementary school BACK IN THE LATE 40's(P.S. #4, Long Island City, NY) during assembly each week: "YOU MAY PRAY ON SATURDAY OR SUNDAY, HE IS ALWAYS CLOSE ENOUGH TO HEAR. PRAY ON SEVEN DAYS OR ONE DAY, IT IS ALWAYS MUSIC TO HIS EARS. PRAY IN A CATHEDRAL, A SYNAGOGUE OR CHURCH, PRAY IN A MOSQUE OR TABERNACLE, HE WON'T NEED TO SEARCH. PRAY IN ANY LANGUAGE, TO HIM THEY ALL ARE DEAR. PRAY FOR IT IS MUSIC TO HIS EARS. IT IS LOVELY MUSIC TO HIS EARS.

[Morris65]

Tom Paine was bred on good roast beef
Heinz Solomon loved fish
But when Uncle Sam served liberty
They both enjoyed the dish

Oh, I may not know a lot of things
But one thing I can state
Both native born and foreign born
Have made this country great

[Jack swartz]

You may pray on Saturday or Sunday, it is always music to his ears. Though you pray on seven days or one day,it is always music to his ears. Pray in a cathedral,in a synagogue or church, a temple or a tabernacle he won’t need to search. Pray in any language to him they all are dear,pray for it is music to his ears. It is lovely music to his ears. We used to sing this during assemblies at our grammar school.

[Beetle]

I remember all of these songs! Most were on "No School Today" (Saturday mornings on the RADIO). We didn't have TV in Las Vegas until 1954. The theme song of the program was "Teddy Bears' Picnic", which is playing in my head now 🎶 Wr didn't have to sing the songs in class.

[Beth]

I remember this much:

"Pray in a cathedral, in a synagogue or church,
a temple, mosque or tabernacle - -
He won't need to search."

What was the name of that song?

[REHeu]

Looking up lyrics that I couldn't find- found your blog! We sang these songs too, at my elementary school in Harlem- late 40's- where I was a minority of minorities- white & Jewish. A great experience- I loved it....Why not? We were taught respect for ALL! and sang Hymns, Patriotic songs, Poetry, American Folk songs, about getting along with others- lots of songs of Paul Robeson- i.e. The House I Live in... Song of the Good Neighbors... Get on Board Little Children... They didn't feel forced to me, after all we grow up, don't we? And I appreciate many a fine sentiment taught. I remember all of them, mostly! and these lyrics to the one you started with: "You may pray on Saturday or Sunday/ It is always music to his ears/( forgot next line, then) ... Pray in a cathedral, a synagogue or church/ Pray in any tabernacle, he won't need to search/ Pray in any language/ to him they all are dear/ Pray for it is music to his ears." And it certainly wasn't the only hymn we sang! REH

[Naomi Eckstein Garai]

I'm a bit younger than you - I graduated from PS217 in 1964. By then it was just a kindergarten through 6th grade school. We were still singing that same prayer song though. I remember that it ended with "pray for it is music to His ears; it is lovely music to His ears." Even back then I thought it had no place in a public school!

[1950's City Girl]

My daughter recently moved to a co-op at Westminster Rd and Newkirk, across from your school. I started reading the Ditmas Park blog in order to learn about the neighborhood. I came across a link to your blog. I have been enjoying reading your posts. I am a little younger, born in 1947, and I grew up in Jersey City, but most of what you write really resonates with me. My children do not understand that life was so different then, that childhood was so much more innocent. Please continue your posts. I cannot believe that you were ever in a "lower-level high school English class". Your writing is delightful. Sincerely, 1950's City Girl

[Otis Jefferson Brown]

Another of the songs was "Remember Your Name And Address" (accent on the first syllable in "address").

[Otis Jefferson Brown]

From an album (of 78s) called "Songs of Safety."

[Otis Jefferson Brown]

Let the ball roll, let the ball roll,
No matter where it may go;
Let the ball roll, let the ball roll,
It has to stop sometime, you know.

What if the ball rolls under a truck
And gets crushed like an egg?
You always can buy many a ball
But you never can buy a new leg!

(Lyrics by Tin Pan Alley wordsmith Irving Caesar)