For some reason today I thought back to when I was about 7 years old and a classmate of mine died. The following song (some of the chorus) has been stuck in my head for over 30 years so I looked up the lyrics and was disturbed that they played this at her funeral. This was supposed to be a favorite song of hers....


Mommy told me something
a little kid should know.
It's all about the devil
and I've learned to hate him so.
She said he causes trouble
when you let him in the room.
He will never ever leave you
if your heart is filled with gloom.

So let the sun shine in
face it with a grin.
Smilers never lose
and frowners never win.
So let the sun shine in
face it with a grin
Open up your heart and let the sun shine in.

When you are unhappy,
the devil wears a grin
But oh, he starts to running
when the light comes pouring in
I know he'll be unhappy
'Cause I'll never wear a frown
Maybe if we keep on smiling
He'll get tired of hanging 'round.

If I forget to say my prayers
the devil wears a grin.
But he feels so awful awful
when he sees me on my knees
So if you're full of trouble
and you never seem to win,
Just open up your heart and let the sun shine in.

So let the sun shine in
face it with a grin.
Smilers never lose
and frowners never win.
So le the sun shine in
face it with a grin
Open up your heart and let the sun shine in.

wow, I didn't know the lyrics were so horrible. I remember hearing the chorus on The Flintstones, I think, and I loved it as a kid.

Not to make light, but Bam Bam and Pebbles used to sing that. Anyone remember? Or is it just me. I never realized how terrible a song it is. That was one of my favorites too as a little girl. I agree and wanted to say that is a sad thing when a little child passes away. It is hard to understand and deal with that when you are small.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/13/2012 12:01PM by suckafoo.

it was their big hit!

I never knew that song had those lyrics; loved the show, remember the song.

I am sorry you lost your little friend, so long ago. that must have been awful for you, especially at that age. I am sorry.

Wow.
Maybe they should have sang the Aquarius/Let the sunshine meddley instead.

Then I realized a different song was being discussed the second I saw the lyrics.

I think what is really terrible about playing this at the funeral is that instead of allowing us kids to feel sad about an obviously sad situation, we were singing about putting on a smile or the devil will get us.

I sang the chorus to this in the morning while making breakfast out loud to myself. It's a terribly easy song to get stuck in my head.

Wow, I've never heard this song before, but the lyrics are HORRIBLE! What an awful message. Sad feelings are a part of life; we shouldn't teach kids to be afraid of them.

When the moon is in the Seventh House
And Jupiter aligns with Mars
Then peace will guide the planets
And love will steer the stars
This is the dawning of the age of Aquarius
Age of Aquarius
Aquarius!
Aquarius!

Harmony and understanding
Sympathy and trust abounding
No more falsehoods or derisions
Golden living dreams of visions
Mystic crystal revelation
And the mind's true liberation
Aquarius!
Aquarius!

When the moon is in the Seventh House
And Jupiter aligns with Mars
Then peace will guide the planets
And love will steer the stars
This is the dawning of the age of Aquarius
Age of Aquarius
Aquarius!
Aquarius!
Aquarius!
Aquarius!

[instrumental and tempo shift]

Let the sunshine, let the sunshine in, the sunshine in
Let the sunshine, let the sunshine in, the sunshine in
Let the sunshine, let the sunshine in, the sunshine in

[continue to end with concurrent scat]

Oh, let it shine, c'mon
Now everybody just sing along
Let the sun shine in
Open up your heart and let it shine on in
When you are lonely, let it shine on
Got to open up your heart and let it shine on in
And when you feel like you've been mistreated
And your friends turn away
Just open your heart, and shine it on in

http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/forrestgump/medleyaquariusletthesunshinein.htm

And yes, this is the Fifth Dimension version.

I love this song! Its one of my "life mantras".

I could never understand the lyrics of the "Sunshine" part but just didn't like the sound of it. I saw "Hair" when it played in Los Angeles and absolutely adored the "UP YOURS!" attitude.

I feel exactly the same. I loved the Aquarius part but would turn off the radio when the "Sunshine" part came on.

I hadn't heard the other one before, but then, I didn't watch the Flintstones. What a horrible song to play at a child's funeral!

They must of been God fearing people to have played that song. They knew that their little girl went to be with the Lord. When you have a relationship with Christ he is the Sun/ Son shinning in. He helps yu through times as these

I agree. I loved this song as a kid. Still sing it. I knew what the song was saying and what the words meant. It is not saying NOT to be sad, that is a part of life. It is saying don't let sad, worry and hate be your life. Do not let it take you over. Once you let the dark take you over, that is the Devil, that is what he wants. Go ahead be sad, worry, and yes, sometimes you might think to 'hate' for a minute, but let it go. I have always been one to smile, no matter the circumstances. Even in the very worst (and there have been some real downers). So people, stop analysing and dissecting, enjoy the song for what is it. OPEN up your hearts and LET the SUN shine in :D Peace Out, j

I love this song,I heard it as a child on the Flintstones
Years later I revisited the song,and found the lyrics to be
Kinda dark,but actually it's not...As a believer the lyrics are
true.If you believe in God,you must realize his counterpart exists...
"THE GREATEST TRICK THE DEVIL EVER PLAYED ON THE
WORLD WAS CONVINCING US HE DOESN'T EXIST"

If god created the devil then god is evil.

You can't have it both ways.

How many babies have died today? God could have prevented their deaths but he's too busy listening to children get indoctrinated into a sex cult.

Woohoo!

Kudos. I agree

Lyrics are good. Hmmm, good vs bad? I will take the 'sun' over the dark any day

I wouldn't say the lyrics are horrible. There is a good message however it is a bit heavy, especially for children. Also, I am not so sure how theologically accurate it is--LOL.

When the moon is in the Seventh House
And Jupiter aligns with Mars
Then peace will guide the planets
And love will steer the stars

This is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius
Age of Aquarius
Aquarius! Aquarius!

Harmony and understanding
Sympathy and trust abounding
No more falsehoods or derisions
Golden living dreams of visions
Mystic crystal revelation
And the mind's true liberation
Aquarius! Aquarius!

When the moon is in the Seventh House
And Jupiter aligns with Mars
Then peace will guide the planets
And love will steer the stars

This is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius
Age of Aquarius
Aquarius! Aquarius!

Let the sun shine, Let the sun shine in
The sun shine in
Let the sun shine, Let the sun shine in
The sun shine in
Let the sun shine, Let the sun shine in
The sun shine in
Let the sun shine, Let the sun shine in
The sun shine in
Let the sun shine, Let the sun shine in
The sun shine in
Let the sun shine, Let the sun shine in
The sun shine in
Let the sun shine, Let the sun shine in
The sun shine in
Let the sun shine, Let the sun shine in
The sun shine in
Let the sun shine, Let the sun shine in
The sun shine in
Let the sun shine, Let the sun shine in
The sun shine in
Let the sun shine, Let the sun shine in
The sun shine in

Those who love it must be only talking about the chorus.

I always thing about the Flintstones when I hear the song.

I converted to Mormonism just in time to miss being in Primary so I never learned those songs. But reading the lyrics I see how with just a bit of a tweak you could change it into a more uplifting song if you can't get it out of your brain. How about trying:


Mommy told me something a little kid should know
It's all about the Mormons and I've learned to dodge them well.
She said they cause such trouble with happy family times
They will never ever leave you if your name is on their roles.

So let the truth shine on, face them with a grin
Mormons never leave, so never let them in.
So let the truth shine on, face them with a grin
Open not your door, they only spin, spin, spin.

When you are unhappy the Mormons like to pounce
But oh they start to running when their doctrine you denounce.
I know they'll be unhappy 'cause I'll never let them in
Maybe if we put a sign out they'll get tired of hanging 'round.


I could go on but Mormonism isn't worth the trouble. Maybe someone else could finish this.....

I love the song! I to remembered it from childhood. These are not the words I remember. I pulled up a video on youtube and played it. It said devil and Mormon. There are other differences also.

Thanks for singing me a song, Rebecka!!!! I had forgotten about the let the sun shine in song.

I don't know why anyone would think this message is in this song is horrible. I think some are taking "the devil" way too literally. The devil is symbolic of bad things, sadness, depression, sorrow, mean people who treat others like crap. This teaches us to embrace the happiness in life and treat people well. Let the sun shine in.

Claiming their attitude is responsible for death, sadness or disease they suffer.

I remember this song well from childhood but understood the word devil only in the metaphorical sense. Only later did I learn that some people were deluded enough to believe in an actual devil. Is the devil the one with the red body suit and a trident for a tail or is that Satan?