Final answer:
Music reflects a communal and generational legacy, shaped by both the original creators like saints, and the people who have embraced and modified it through generations, as in the case of Choctaw hymns and slave spirituals.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement "The songs are as much a creation of the Saint as of generation of people who sang them" suggests that music, especially religious and spiritual songs, is not only a product of its initial creators or figures of sanctity but also of the communities and the generations that adopt, adapt, and integrate these songs into their lives. Music is fundamentally intertwined with the human experience, often reflecting and shaping the identity of a culture or a group's shared experiences.
For instance, the early 1800s hymns of the Choctaw tribes resonate with the collective trauma of forced relocation and broken promises. Similarly, slaves on their way to the Great House Farm would sing songs that reflected their joy and sadness, creating a powerful and poignant juxtaposition of emotion. Moreover, the commercialization of song has led to adaptations, continuing the tradition while remaking it in contemporary contexts.
Music and art emerged as the primary means of religious instruction by the 6th century, given the power of these mediums to instruct and inspire faith. Saints and their stories often informed such music, which in itself could sow seeds of faith. Michelangelo captured this sentiment, indicating that their examples of enduring faith were influential. Therefore, the creation and evolution of music are shared endeavors between its originators and those who revere and reinterpret it throughout history.