Germany 18-3 2013 Reflections on Freemasonry in popular music Does Freemasonry belong in popular music? Harm N. Timmerman Musicologist MA Teacher Music; Stenden University Producer, Composer; Freestone Music Lodge L’Union Provinciale No.17, Groningen, The Netherlands [email protected] www.free-stone.org How necessary it is in this age for some to have the courage to be the ones who are ‘different’, and to separate themselves out from the pack who long ago sold their lives and personalities to this sound and the anti-Aquarian culture which has sprung up around it! (David Tame, The Secret Power of Music) Abstract Whether or not because of assumed Hermetic influence, a special place in Masonic ritual is reserved for the liberal art of music. Searching for classical or art music with (in)direct references to Freemasonry’s thought and symbolism, one encounters few composers whose initiation led to suchlike compositions. Although overviews of ‘famous masons’ lists jazz musicians with acclaimed, though not always proven, membership of lodges, their work in the jazz tradition by any means inspired by the craft, can not be found. And it makes you wonder if there are traces of Masonic influence in popular music. Although Freemasonry in Popular Music, a research for the department of Musicology of the University Utrecht, delivered some marginal examples, its conclusions are disappointing; subsequently trying to explain a possible reason. Can we suspect, considering its absence in this dominant area of music and popular culture, that Freemasonry as a central topic on the one hand and function and purpose of pop- and rock music (traditionally for adolescent subculture) on the other, represent conflicting themes? Freestone’s concept album The Temple of Humanity, is an undertaking to prove, at least investigate, the opposite. The album, self-described as popular music inspired by Freemasonry, is entirely dedicated to a broad variety of aspects of this tradition. References to its meaning, thought and symbols are transcribed in music, lyrics and artwork of the compositions; either directly on the surface, either to be discovered after a more thorough investigation. In conclusion of the paper: from a hermeneutic standpoint, one of the twelve songs will be examined more closely, an exercise in both critical and Masonic interpretation in order to question whether in the realms of secular reality of 21st century popular culture it is justified to presume that Freemasonry indeed belongs in popular music. 2 3 Reflections on Freemasonry in Popular Music Dear brothers, dear attendants, Introduction The search for references to freemasonry in a cultural expression such as music produces a broad variety of examples. However, within popular music, there are practically no songs or lyrics in which the fraternity is positively and realistically positioned. Despite the dominance of popular music in secular life and contemporary culture, philosophical themes or existential life questions are rarely discussed in a way that they exceed the adolescent and the obvious; they only play a superficial role in the pop community. Reflections on Freemasonry in popular music How necessary it is in this age for some to have the courage to be the ones who are ‘different’, and to separate themselves out from the pack who long ago sold their lives and personalities to this sound and the anti-Aquarian culture which has sprung up around it! (David Tame, The Secret Power of Music March 18th 2013 in Freemasons Lodge Albrecht Wolfgang, Stadthagen, Germany Harm N. Timmerman Musicologist Lecturer Music, Stenden University Producer, Composer, Freestone Music Lodge L’Union Provinciale Nr.17, Groningen, The Netherlands In the essay References to Freemasonry in Popular Music (written for the course musicology at the University Utrecht), I have addressed the question ‘what is the meaning of freemasonry within popular music?’ from an academic perspective. In today’s presentation I will briefly discuss some of the references found and accordingly will try to explain why both phenomena are possibly irreconcilable. 4 Reflections on Freemasonry in popular music I. Essay: References to Freemasonry in Popular Music II. Freestone – The Temple of Humanity III. Interpretation ‘Brotherhood of Men’ Subsequently, I will pay attention to Freestone’s concept album The Temple of Humanity, my own attempt to giving freemasonry a place within the domain of popular music. The album contains references to Masonic meaning, thought and symbols, which are transcribed and translated into music, lyrics and the artwork of the compositions. In conclusion of today’s presentation one of the twelve songs on the album will be interpreted as an example to clarify what references can be found on the album and what makes it a Masonic concept album. Finally, a short fragment of the discussed composition will be played. Freemasonry in classical music and jazz Naturally the essay References to Freemasonry in Popular Culture starts with describing freemasonry and its prominent features. The second chapter deals with the meaning of music within the Masonic ritual and in lodges in general. Masonic influences in the classical and jazz tradition are also investigated. Within freemasonry as one of the liberal arts, a special place is reserved for music. During the meetings in a lodge, music can be heard either live or from a sound 5 carrier. Some lodges have their own choir, and there are lodges whose members have a musical background or profession. Within the classical tradition, a number of composers were known to be freemasons. Some of them, such as Sibelius, Pijper, Mozart, were inspired to compose musical pieces with a distinct relation with freemasonry. Some of the compositions were written to be used during ceremonial meetings in the lodge. The best-known example of classical music inspired by freemasonry is without any doubt Die Zauberflöte KV 620, Mozart and librettist Schikaneder’s tribute to the brotherhood. Within jazz, freemasonry is hardly of any significance. Again, in overviews of famous masons, we see a number of musicians and composers who were allegedly members of a Masonic lodge, but no jazz compositions that feature lyrics with clear references to the craft or based upon Masonic themes can be found. I. Essay: References to Freemasonry in Popular Music (1) • Chapter 1: Freemasonry in brief • Chapter 2: Freemasonry and music – Freemasonry in classical music – Freemasonry in jazz • Chapter 3: Popular music, definition and meaning Freemasonry and popular music This brings forth the question: what is the meaning of freemasonry within popular music? In my research paper the discussion of examples of popular music with Masonic references is divided in three categories: examples found on the internet, examples in the folder Masonic References in Popular Music and the song ‘A Rite of 6 Passage’ of the American progressive metal band Dream Theater. I will briefly present the main conclusions. Essay (2) • Chapter 4: Masonic references in popular music – The internet – Folder: Masonic References in Popular Culture – Dream Theater – ‘A Rite of Passage’ Internet and MySpace Names, song titles and lyrics of several bands and artists with a MySpace profile suggest a relation with freemasonry. In most cases, however, this presumption must be disproved. The name of bands such as The Freemasons, Masonic en The Masonics evoke an association with freemasonry, but music, lyrics, artwork and band members show no relationship at all, according to the information on their profile and website. Internet and MySpace (1) The Freemasons, Masonic, The Masonics 7 Masonic symbolism can be found in the artwork and song titles of Freemasonry, Masonic Temple and Masonic Abyss, again a relation or affinity with the brotherhood is missing here. Internet and MySpace (2) Freemasonry, Masonic Temple, Masonic Abyss In one of his lyrics hip hop artist Vybz Kartel addresses his membership of the 33rd degree of the Scottish Rite and he wears a Masonic ring. It is not known if he is a mason at all. Internet and MySpace (3) Vybz Kartel 8 Finally, Dan Hall and Howie Damron are freemasons whose membership encouraged them to write country music dedicated to freemasonry. Internet and MySpace (4) Dan Hall, Howie Damron Masonic references in popular music The folder Masonic References in Popular Culture provides an overview of songs in popular music that are supposed to have some relation with freemasonry. A critical analysis of these examples, results in the following concluding categories: 1 the lyrics portray freemasons in a negative way; Masonic References in Popular Culture (1) • Lyrics portray freemasons in a negative way – Amsterdam, ‘My Father Was A Mason’ – Blur, ‘Mr. Robinsons Quango’ 1 Amsterdam, ‘My Father Was A Mason’ and Blur, ‘Mr. Robinsons Quango’. 9 One or more words in the title or lyrics suggest a relation with freemasonry, 2 but after more thorough investigation, there isn’t any. Masonic References in Popular Culture (2.1.) • Words falsely suggest a relation with freemasonry – Boxcar, ‘Freemason (You broke the promise)’ – The Doug Anthony Allstars, ‘Jason and Kylie’ – Steve Earle, ‘Copperhead Road’ – Celtic Connection, ‘Raise the Roof – Falco, ‘Rock Me Amadeus Masonic References in Popular Culture (2.2.) • Words falsely suggest a relation with freemasonry – Gang Starr, ‘Same Team, No Games’ – Grateful Dead, ‘Mason’s Children’ – New Bad Things, ‘Freemason Love Triangle – They Might Be Giants, ‘She’s an Angel’ – ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic,