Page 8 - Bilingual Mirvis Family Songs

A Guide to Songs in the Dual-Language Family Song Book

0. Why to divide of songs into groups and why the Leonardo's scheme?

“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” - Leonardo da Vinci
It is a matter of practicality. Because meaningful poetry is a foundation of these songs, those, who are
not familiar with some poems, may need time to realize–what they are about. Grouping may simplify
the process by giving a hint beforehand. That is the Leonardo’s approach in so many things he did, and
his drawings greatly help to visualize it. If R. Kipling kept “six honest serving-men” who t “taught him
“all he knew”, our song group concepts has five: “Who am I?”; ”What’s around?”; “How to do?”; ”
What to do?”; and “How to reach it?”. This may reflect not only five important stages of in a person’s
mental and spiritual growth and but a state of well-being of a balanced and successful individual.
Here they are and the songs that pertain to them:

I. ”Here I am”
Who are you? What are your roots? Every individual, mother, father and family is very unique. It is my
family that is my original identity. It is given to me at birth; I cannot change it, but will always carry it
with me. Some of those individuals and families are very different from the “usual” rest around them,
but it doesn’t prevent them from happiness and from being proud of who they are. It is about our first
lessons of love, patience and kindness, the foundational values for life. Consists of songs # 10, #6, #11.
II. “Hello, World!”

What is around? It is an Ocean of unknowingness, from small things and pets, to nature, values and
priorities. What is most important among objects or subjects? Is it real or is it just an illusion in this big
and fascinating World? It is inevitable that a newcomer will have an innate quest to observe, explore,
learn, and communicate. Includes songs #8, #7, #13, #1, #4.
III. “Sweat is Sweet“

If groups #I and #II were about understanding, #III addresses to doing. “How to do?” anything: get
busy, be proactive, do not complain, take challenges, and do not settle for small, endure work and to
enjoy the fruit of it. How to feel sufficient and not to blame the World of your own deficiencies? Or as
Immanuel Kant said: “…once having done our bitter uty, we find ourselves in a state that could be
called happiness. Includes songs #2, #5, #14.
IV. “Big but Real”

This group is about “What to do?” or other words “Were to go?” Do you have a dream? Is it big and
noble? Or is it simply a daydreaming or an excuse? Can you build a goal and a purpose from your
dream? Reality check: how to keep your dream big and pure, but yet -- realistic?
Contains songs #12, #9, #15

V. “Untroubled Spirit”

Even when you know your roots, skills, working habits and your goals are set you may still be far
from getting the result. Songs in this category help deal with a question: “How to reach it?” How to
reach your goal in spite of unavoidable hits of the destiny? It’s about self-control, reassessment,
stoicism, and is a survival guide for “triumphs and disasters”, that as the poet said, are “two imposters
” should be treated just the same. There are Songs #3, #16 in this series.

Introduction 5
Not for public release