The year is 2026. I am interviewing for my
first real job, the one to begin my professional
career. As the interview winds to a close, the
manager hands me a recorder and asks me
the final question: “Can you play ‘Hot Cross
Buns?’” No words are needed. I bring the
recorder to my lips and play the three glorious
notes I’ve known since fifth grade.
This scenario may become a reality with
the growing impact of “Hot Cross Buns” on
our culture. Beginning in the 21st century,
educators decided to incorporate the recorder
into the fifth grade curriculum, with good
reason. Since then, the most essential recorder
song, “Hot Cross Buns,” is enjoyed by all
people, from elementary school to adulthood.
The ability to play “Hot Cross Buns” on
recorder is undeniably the most valuable skill
taught in life. It has infinite uses in everyday
life and professional careers. Many high
school students, including Brad Baldwin,
enjoy playing “Hot Cross Buns” daily.
“I bring my recorder everywhere, you
never know when you might need to play ‘Hot
Cross Buns,’” Baldwin said. “It’s great for
parties, wooing the ladies, or just whenever
you need to get someone’s attention.”
On the surface, “Hot Cross Buns” is a
simple song used to teach children the joy
of music, but it is much more complex than
that. The lyrics of the song, “Hot cross buns,
hot cross buns; one a penny, two a penny hot
cross buns,” teaches children the basics of
economics. It implies that each hot cross bun
is one penny, which explains the principle of a
fixed price.
Those who never learned “Hot Cross Buns”
on recorder, or even worse, forgot how to play
it, may be subject to insults from their peers,
loss of a job and eternal loneliness.
Photos Courtesy of Themegaagency, Illustrated
by Audrey Dezern/The ECHO
