Music

No matter what my mood is music will alter it, usually for the better. It never ceases to amaze me how music transcends all languages; furthermore, it has been said that “music has charms to soothe the savage breast. ” This phrase was coined by William Congreve, in The Mourning Bride, 1697:

Musick has Charms to sooth a savage Breast,
To soften Rocks, or bend a knotted Oak.
I’ve read, that things inanimate have mov’d,
And, as with living Souls, have been inform’d,
By Magick Numbers and persuasive Sound.
What then am I? Am I more senseless grown
Than Trees, or Flint? O force of constant Woe!
‘Tis not in Harmony to calm my Griefs.
Anselmo sleeps, and is at Peace; last Night
The silent Tomb receiv’d the good Old King;
He and his Sorrows now are safely lodg’d
Within its cold, but hospitable Bosom.
Why am not I at Peace?

Incidentally, William Congreve (1670-1729) was an English playwright and poet. He wrote some of the most popular English plays of the Restoration period of the late 17th century. By the age of thirty, he had written four comedies and one tragedy, The Mourning Bride (1697). (From: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7008439-the-mourning-bride )

Back to the topic of music…in my own experiences with music, I know that when I have been tired,  music reenergizes me. When I am anxious, music calms me. When I am sad, music makes me happy. When I am restless, music relaxes me.

Lullabies have been used to lull babies to sleep. Music has been used to set romantic moments. Music is magical. That being said, music can also stir negative emotions, like fear and sadness. Some music can simply get on your nerves. However, I am certain much of that has to do with preference, as well as, state of being at the moment.

What effect does music have for you? Do you have any favorite tunes for specific times in your life? I would love to know.