Let music accompany you in your cancer journey.
A patient often said, "I just want to be alone at this moment. Don't bother me."
Sometimes it is not a necessity to share all your feelings and thoughts with others. You may want to stay silent and listen to some music. Music really makes people happy. You may be attracted by the lyrics and the soundtrack of the song. The lyrics may touch you and you may find that the singer understands you very well. Music is a language, a tool for communication, and an outlet for inner emotions. It gives the therapeutic power to influence all aspects of our life.
Music therapy uses music and melodies to express our emotions. Everybody can enjoy the music therapy. Music therapy is not a classroom to learn singing or playing a musical instrument.
During music therapy activities, you will listen to the music, follow the beat to sing or play with some simple instruments, and discuss about the meaning of music/songs. Music therapy is a non-invasive pain adjunct therapy that can improve pain, anxiety and insomnia in cancer patients. Previous studies have demonstrated that music therapy can reduce pain in patients with advanced cancer. Also, studies also showed that music can effectively reduce pain, help patients to express themselves and reduce anxiety.
Bigras was shock and panic for a long time when she first discovered that she had cancer. She experienced the benefits of music therapy. "Music has always played a huge part in my life. Music therapy helped me focus on something else other than the traumatic events of the cancer diagnosis, and just forget for an hour or so, to just go into a different world for a little bit," Bigras said.
Registered music therapists and participants will build a mutual trust, by using a variety of musical instruments and designing a music programme that suits you, so that you can express your feeling easily. Come into this music world! Try it!
Here are some simple ways to let music relax our minds.
1. " SUPPORT+" is honoured to invite Prof. Sydney TANG Chi Wai, Department of Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, and Mr. Gordon LEE Chun Lok, World Champion of Harmonica, to perform piano and harmonica: Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata", Danny Chan’s " Yat Sung Hor Kau" (Cantonese). Let’s enjoy!
▶️ Dr TANG Chi Wai Sydney with Mr Gordon Lee, World Champion Of Harmonica @ SUPPORT+ (Chinese Version Only)
2. “Amazing Grace”
“Amazing Grace” is one of the most recognizable songs in the English speaking world.
An UK study found that “Amazing Grace” was one of the piece of music that effectively relieve anxiety and help in spiritual needs in patients at their end-of-life.
The "Amazing Grace" origin is found in John Newton's biography. "Amazing Grace" lyrics are based on John Newton's experience of receiving God's grace and mercy, despite the terrible things he had done. The John Newton "Amazing Grace" story includes a near-death experience on one of these slave ships. Prior to John Newton's life as an ordained minister, he participated in the Atlantic slave trade and captained a slave ship. During a particularly violent storm off the coast of Ireland in 1748, Newton prayed desperately to God to save him and his ship from sinking. As the ship was tossed back and forth, some of the crew were swept overboard, but Newton was spared, and the ship reached safety. John Newton marks this event as his moment of conversion to Christianity which set him on a path towards redemption.
“Amazing Grace” Lyrics
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved.
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far
And grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.
Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
and mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.
When we've been there ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun,
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun.
--John Newton, 1725-1807
▶️ IL DIVO - Amazing Grace (Live Video)
3. “Don't Worry, Be Happy”by Bobby McFerrin (1988)
There are always troubles in life. With more troubles, more troubles come. As a cancer patient and caregiver, you cannot avoid all difficulties or troubles in your daily life. You are indeed encouraged to face them with a positive attitude. Relax! Don’t’ worry, be happy!
This song is simple, suitable for all ages and it is healing.
“Don’t Worry, Be Happy” lyrics
Here's a little song I wrote
You might want to sing it note for note
Don't worry, be happy
In every life we have some trouble
But when you worry you make it double
Don't worry, be happy
Don't worry, be happy now
don't worry
(Ooh, ooh ooh ooh oo-ooh ooh oo-ooh) be happy
(Ooh, ooh ooh ooh oo-ooh ooh oo-ooh) don't worry, be happy
(Ooh, ooh ooh ooh oo-ooh ooh oo-ooh) don't worry
(Ooh, ooh ooh ooh oo-ooh ooh oo-ooh) be happy
(Ooh, ooh ooh ooh oo-ooh ooh oo-ooh) don't worry, be happy
Ain't got no place to lay your head
Somebody came and took your bed
Don't worry, be happy
The landlord say your rent is late
He may have to litigate
Don't worry, be happy
Oh, ooh ooh ooh oo-ooh ooh oo-ooh don't worry, be happy
Here I give you my phone number, when you worry, call me, I make you happy, don't worry, be happy)
Don't worry, be happy
Ain't got no cash, ain't got no style
Ain't got no gal to make you smile
Don't worry, be happy
'Cause when you worry your face will frown
And that will bring everybody down
So don't worry, be happy
Now there, is this song I wrote
I hope you learned note for note
Like good little children, don't worry, be happy
Now listen to what I said, in your life expect some trouble
When you worry you make it double
But don't worry, be happy, be happy now
▶️ Bobby McFerrin - Don't Worry Be Happy (Official Music Video)
