The History of Singing – How Music and Song have Shaped Civilisations for Millennia

Singing is as natural to us as breathing. As babes in arms, we’re comforted with lullabies, and entertained by nursery songs.

Our lives are full of song, from hymns to the latest chart hits.

We’re surrounded by music and singing. But have you ever considered how we, as a species, started to use our vocal cords to create music?

Did We Learn to Sing Before We Could Talk?

It’s likely that mankind has been singing in some form since before we even developed language, with prehistoric man using vocal sounds to mimic nature or communicate feelings.

Before man developed tools, which would eventually lead to the invention of musical instruments, voice was an instrument in itself.

Just as we do today, it’s easy to imagine that early man soothed infants with melodic vocal utterances.

A Wonderful Way to Tell a Story

Then, as we move through time, singing begins to serve a wider variety of purposes.

While the development of language supersedes the need to use the tones of the singing voice to communicate ideas or feelings, song is still used as a communication tool, to tell stories and entertain.

Before the ability to read and write became commonplace, word of mouth was the only way to pass on information across the general population, and so songs were popular for telling tales.

Of course, even to this day, many songs have a deep meaning, or a story to tell, but it’s fascinating to listen to traditional folk songs and imagine the people who have sung these songs over the centuries, songs that have remained relatively unchanged, telling stories that might have been lost to time had they not been recorded in song.

Songs have a way of enduring in a way that words alone cannot.

The world of folk music is full of fascinating stories and cautionary tales, covering a gamut of subjects from romance to horror.

The Role of Song in Religion and the Community

As well as being a tool for storytelling, singing has also played a major role in religion, with prayers and incantations being sung to honour deities across the globe.

While religion has divided people, song has a tendency to bring people together, and so throughout history we see people gather together in song.

Raising your voice with others, singing the same words to the same tune, gives a feeling of fellowship and union.

So whether it’s in church, or at a family celebration, joining together in song is a common shared experience that promotes a pleasant feeling of oneness.

Music Features Highly Throughout History

Archaeological evidence has shown us that music and singing have been part of life across the ages.

Ancient Egyptian Musicians

The ancient Egyptians used music in their religious ceremonies, and we can see from artwork uncovered in archaeological excavations, evidence of a wide range of instruments including drums, harps, lutes, flutes, and trumpets.

Scholars believe that both male and female voices formed part of the musical performances in Egypt, and indeed, music was so prevalent that professional musicians were employed, to sing to the gods, and to entertain at celebratory events.

Sadly, the ancient Egyptians did not have any written form of musical notation, so we cannot recreate the songs of these times, but who knows, the power of song persists, and perhaps some of the songs passed down through the generations have their roots in ancient times.

Greek and Roman musical culture

Music played a huge role in Ancient Greece.

The Greeks believed music to be a gift from the Gods and was a part of daily life.

It was far more than simply a form of entertainment, music and singing ran through every aspect of life, from religion and the military to festivals and parties.

Learning a musical instrument was commonplace for students, in a world where the arts were revered.

The Greeks placed a huge focus on the use of music and song as a method of storytelling, giving us the incredible Greek tragedies and comedies that are still performed to this day, albeit in an adapted form to better suit a modern audience.

One might say that the Greeks were obsessed with music, and it also played an important role for the Romans who adopted many of the Ancient Greek musical traditions.

For the Romans, song was a common way to mark important occasions such as weddings, religious celebrations, and even funerals.

The Middle Ages and Beyond

As we head into the Middle Ages, music becomes increasingly diversified.

From the haunting melodic chanting of Gregorian monks, to the thrilling storytelling of the travelling minstrels, music reached everyone, from royalty to paupers.

More complex instruments were developed, and the use of vocal harmonies became popular, opening doors for composers that would lead to the artistic renewal of the Renaissance.

This period saw huge innovation and creativity in the world of music, with the harpsichord increasing in popularity, bringing music and song into the homes of the wealthy.

The grandeur associated with music continued to grow during the Baroque period, and it was during this time that an exciting new vocal style was developed – opera.

I wonder if those early opera-goers realised what a sensation this was going to be – a vocal art form that would endure, barely changed, for centuries.

Vocal and musical trends have come and gone over the years, but there has never been an era without song.

It’s as if every generation has a drive to create something new.

After the over-the-top opulence of the Baroque era, music became more simplistic, as time progressed, musical innovators continued to break the mould with minimalism and impressionism.

This is a trend that continues to this day, with singers constantly pushing the boundaries and paving the way for the next generation of musicians to do it their way.

From rock and roll in the 50s to punk rock in the 70s, revolutionary originality is par for the course along the timeline of musical history.

Music and Song – The Heartbeat of Communities

Traditional songs have persisted across the centuries, shared history and heritage have shaped music and song for groups of people around the globe.

Take for example the indigenous music of Native Americans or Aboriginals, each has a distinctive style of music, and songs that tell the stories of these unique civilisations.

Rooted in history, each musical and vocal style is different and recognisable.

While modern artists put a new spin on the ancient, the essence of the musical form unique to a particular culture pervades.

Music and song, steeped in history, with songs that tie us to our community give strength and a sense of belonging, creating a feeling of oneness with those around us.

Songs to celebrate, to give us hope for the future, and also to console.

Traditional songs that encompass the myths and legends of indigenous people, still passing stories from generation to generation, are a timeless tradition.

You Are Part of History – Where Will Your Musical Journey Take You?

We think of history as the past, but of course, history is endless, and we are just at one singular point in it.

One day, we too will be ancient history.

The future is uncertain and unpredictable, but if there is perhaps one thing that we can say for sure about the future of our world, it is that song will prevail.

Through the good times and the bad, music and singing serve as a means to voice our joy, or as a panacea in the tougher times.

Music and song give us a way to express ourselves, and in some cases to unite. This is evident in the wealth of songs released during WWII.

From sentimental songs for those waiting for loved ones away fighting, to light-hearted anti-Hitler lyrics, history is forever recorded in song.

So here we are, in our own point in history. Now you get to choose the next move.

When you learn to sing, you have the chance to be a part of musical history.

Where will you go with it? Will you learn the traditional folk songs of your ancestors, or invent a whole new musical style?

Will you sing in a choir on stage in a huge stadium, or will you simply sing beautiful lullabies to lull your baby to sleep?

Either way, you’re part of the ever-enduring story of music and song, and you’re a part of history.