It’s a great song and a great show. I was reminded of it when I recently read that Godspell was coming back to Broadway in the summer of 2008.

And yes – amazing that in our modern, ‘tolerant,’ and largely just self-congratulatory culture, a nice, sweet song like ‘Day By Day’ would raise ‘concerns’ that were ‘troubling’ among the terminally ‘concerned’ and ‘troubled.’

Radio sure was a better place, back in the day, brother!

And can you imagine a song like that reaching the top of the pop charts today? People talk about diversity all the time, but radio back them really was a true melting pot!

Glad you enjoyed it and thanks!

VV, thanks for the history surrounding the song. 750 years old!!! Fascinating.

;-)

I’m very glad you enjoyed it. As I mentioned above, it’s one of my favorite prayers and songs of all time. Very simple and elegant, and says a lot in just a few words.

Some fans on the song are surprised to find out that the prayer it is closely based on was composed by St. Richard of Chichester about 750+ years ago! I confess I looked it up so I could reproduce it faithfully here:

Thanks be to Thee, my Lord Jesus Christ
For all the benefits Thou hast given me,
For all the pains and insults Thou hast borne for me.
O most merciful Redeemer, friend and brother,
May I know Thee more clearly,
Love Thee more dearly,
Follow Thee more nearly,
Day by day.

It is an uplifting song, and indeed I like everything about the show. And I am no ‘Broadway Baby’ at all – I just like what I like, no pretense!

Thanks for the kind words, too!

Glad you liked the post and the song! While you sang it at a parochial school, I have spoken to many folks over the years who were young in the early 70s and they have confirmed that the song was a popular favorite far and wide, across the fruited plain. I’ve heard stories of it being sung at school (public and otherwise), summer camp, as well as other places!

Of course, these days singing a lovely song like ‘Day By Day’ in a public school would assure an ACLU SWAT team, armed with legal briefs, breaking down the public school door.

Silly, really. If a bunch of kids want to sing it, what’s the harm? That it offends or alienates a couple of students? Did it ever occur to anyone that there just might be something wrong with that handful of delicate students? Maybe a bit too sensitive or easily offended?

It’s nice to hear stories of how times past, though not without their own problems, were genuinely more tolerant than our tightly wound 21st Century culture.

Glad you enjoyed it! It is one of my favorite songs, too!

Your vast array of knowledge bases of your likes, love it, and favorites, etc. never ceases to amaze me and your talents to bring it ‘home’ for us to view, read, hear, enjoy and learn from you is a Vinnie Vegas College!

Thank you for this lovely song from Godspell, “Day By Day,” you’ve made my day perfect with this uplifting song.

I can hardly wait for more!

Your blog should win a huge award; is there a place, a site where your blog can be nominated?

You’re going to post I Don’t Know How To Love Him? YIPPEEE