Maybe, but it's salutary to think about what is sung in church, and how inappropriate some of the hymns are these days. Alas, this applies to one or two of the traditional *Harvest* hymns.
Many of the older hymns we still have are theologically more objective than a fair few recent offerings, or so ISTM.
It's salutary to think ... how inappropriate some of the hymns are these days. Alas, this applies to one or two of the traditional *Harvest* hymns.
Such as the delightful: "For the Lord our God shall come, and shall take the harvest home; from the field shall in that day all offences purge away, giving angels charge at last in the fire the tares to cast ...". But it doesn't matter because no-one thinks about what they're singing anyway.
There's that, but I was thinking more of the one which says *He sends the snow in winter, the warmth to swell the grain, the breezes and the sunshine, and soft refreshing rain.*
Well, so he might have done, before we fouled everything up...
Some years ago, I re-seeded an area of *lawn* at Our Place by scattering large quantities of grass seed from a big, shallow, rush basket thingy I found in the Vestry.
I felt very Biblical whilst doing so. Just as Our Blessed Lord described in his parable, some fell on the path, some on rather stony ground etc. etc., and I daresay some was devoured by fowls of the air once my back was turned.
Harvest is a thing that we RCs just don't celebrate. Presumably because in the UK we are an urban lot without much of a rural presence. Our annual Churches Together harvest sing along never contained RC hymns. There aren't any.
At St. Pete's we were celebrating the feast of St. Luke, although how much that was reflected in the hymns I'm not sure I'm qualified to ponder:
One more step along the world I go - Southcote Disposer supreme, and judge of the earth - Hanover Hail to the Lord's anointed- Crüger Our God loves us - Plaisir d'Amour O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness - Was Lebet
We had a hymn that nobody knew, the choir hadn't even been warned about so did our best at sightreading. It was 'interesting'... https://youtu.be/4k1Oc3Mp0Rg?t=2706
Exactly! That's why we couldn't find an alternate tune. The service had been planned by the URC moderator, who was supposed to be leading worship today, but she is recovering from Covid, so our minister decided to use the service she had prepared anyway, including this unknown hymn.
We had a hymn that nobody knew, the choir hadn't even been warned about so did our best at sightreading. It was 'interesting'... https://youtu.be/4k1Oc3Mp0Rg?t=2706
That is a dreadful tune. It has no symmetry anywhere or sense of direction!
We had a hymn that nobody knew, the choir hadn't even been warned about so did our best at sightreading. It was 'interesting'... https://youtu.be/4k1Oc3Mp0Rg?t=2706
That is a dreadful tune. It has no symmetry anywhere or sense of direction!
I know. I am sure I could have written a better tune myself! 😀
I was asked to go by my Baptist Regional Minister as he couldn't. The URC always has ecumenical representatives as such gatherings, eg a Methodist, an Anglican, a Quaker. We can speak if we wish but we can't of course vote. Ecumenism is in the URC's DNA.
We had a hymn that nobody knew, the choir hadn't even been warned about so did our best at sightreading. It was 'interesting'... https://youtu.be/4k1Oc3Mp0Rg?t=2706
That is a dreadful tune. It has no symmetry anywhere or sense of direction!
I have, just for fun, played around with fitting the words to 8.7.8.7.8.7 tunes. (A bit like singing ‘Danger men at work’ to the music for ‘Knees up Mother Brown’ until the words come back into sync.)
We had a hymn that nobody knew, the choir hadn't even been warned about so did our best at sightreading. It was 'interesting'... https://youtu.be/4k1Oc3Mp0Rg?t=2706
That is a dreadful tune. It has no symmetry anywhere or sense of direction!
I have, just for fun, played around with fitting the words to 8.7.8.7.8.7 tunes. (A bit like singing ‘Danger men at work’ to the music for ‘Knees up Mother Brown’ until the words come back into sync.)
We had a hymn that nobody knew, the choir hadn't even been warned about so did our best at sightreading. It was 'interesting'... https://youtu.be/4k1Oc3Mp0Rg?t=2706
That is a dreadful tune. It has no symmetry anywhere or sense of direction!
I have, just for fun, played around with fitting the words to 8.7.8.7.8.7 tunes. (A bit like singing ‘Danger men at work’ to the music for ‘Knees up Mother Brown’ until the words come back into sync.)
We had a hymn that nobody knew, the choir hadn't even been warned about so did our best at sightreading. It was 'interesting'... https://youtu.be/4k1Oc3Mp0Rg?t=2706
That is a dreadful tune. It has no symmetry anywhere or sense of direction!
I have, just for fun, played around with fitting the words to 8.7.8.7.8.7 tunes. (A bit like singing ‘Danger men at work’ to the music for ‘Knees up Mother Brown’ until the words come back into sync.)
Ha! We had "One more step along the world I go" as well!
I must admit I had to look that one up on YouTube. Totally unknown here, or at least totally unknown to me. It appears from hymnary.org that while it’s in two Canadian hymnals, it’s not in any American hymnals.
We had a hymn that nobody knew, the choir hadn't even been warned about so did our best at sightreading. It was 'interesting'... https://youtu.be/4k1Oc3Mp0Rg?t=2706
One way to lose a congregation without even trying.
We had a hymn that nobody knew, the choir hadn't even been warned about so did our best at sightreading. It was 'interesting'... https://youtu.be/4k1Oc3Mp0Rg?t=2706
One way to lose a congregation without even trying.
IME about two thirds of the congregation don't sing anyway so they won't notice if the hymn's unknown.
We had a hymn that nobody knew, the choir hadn't even been warned about so did our best at sightreading. It was 'interesting'... https://youtu.be/4k1Oc3Mp0Rg?t=2706
One way to lose a congregation without even trying.
IME about two thirds of the congregation don't sing anyway so they won't notice if the hymn's unknown.
Ours have been almost silent since Covid. As one of the musicians I find it pretty depressing - I didn't sign up to provide a concert every Sunday.
We had a hymn that nobody knew, the choir hadn't even been warned about so did our best at sightreading. It was 'interesting'... https://youtu.be/4k1Oc3Mp0Rg?t=2706
One way to lose a congregation without even trying.
IME about two thirds of the congregation don't sing anyway so they won't notice if the hymn's unknown.
Ours have been almost silent since Covid. As one of the musicians I find it pretty depressing - I didn't sign up to provide a concert every Sunday.
That is depressing. My experience here was that post-Covid, people were glad to be able to sing again. I heard from a number of people that it was one of the things they’d missed most.
There’re always a few people who don’t sing, no matter what, but they’re very much the exception.
We had a hymn that nobody knew, the choir hadn't even been warned about so did our best at sightreading. It was 'interesting'... https://youtu.be/4k1Oc3Mp0Rg?t=2706
One way to lose a congregation without even trying.
IME about two thirds of the congregation don't sing anyway so they won't notice if the hymn's unknown.
Ours have been almost silent since Covid. As one of the musicians I find it pretty depressing - I didn't sign up to provide a concert every Sunday.
That is depressing. My experience here was that post-Covid, people were glad to be able to sing again. I heard from a number of people that it was one of the things they’d missed most.
There’re always a few people who don’t sing, no matter what, but they’re very much the exception.
Part of the problem is that about of a third of the congregation didn't return after lockdown. Mainly the (relatively) younger people. People are more spread out. I have suggested that the back few rows of chairs should be removed to encourage people to become more of one body. Vetoed. We used to raise the roof with people singing simple harmonies. Not any more.
We had a hymn that nobody knew, the choir hadn't even been warned about so did our best at sightreading. It was 'interesting'... https://youtu.be/4k1Oc3Mp0Rg?t=2706
One way to lose a congregation without even trying.
IME about two thirds of the congregation don't sing anyway so they won't notice if the hymn's unknown.
Ours have been almost silent since Covid. As one of the musicians I find it pretty depressing - I didn't sign up to provide a concert every Sunday.
That is depressing. My experience here was that post-Covid, people were glad to be able to sing again. I heard from a number of people that it was one of the things they’d missed most.
There’re always a few people who don’t sing, no matter what, but they’re very much the exception.
There's definitely a gender divide - lots of men never sing IME, the women are a bit more forthcoming.
I have a theory that most people seldom sing after puberty. Many men have never really explored their post-change voice at all.
Hmm. The adults in the congregation at Our Place sing, or most of them do, but not necessarily very loudly and/or very tunefully! We used (many years ago) to have a small yet competent choir, but even just one or two cantors would be helpful.
One who does sing loudly, but not tunefully, is FatherInCharge. He also sometimes forgets to turn off his neck mike during the entrance hymn, which he often doesn't know by heart. Last Sunday's hymn (to the tune Hills of the North, rejoice) was *La-la-la-la-la-LAH!*
We had a hymn that nobody knew, the choir hadn't even been warned about so did our best at sightreading. It was 'interesting'... https://youtu.be/4k1Oc3Mp0Rg?t=2706
That is a dreadful tune. It has no symmetry anywhere or sense of direction!
I know. I am sure I could have written a better tune myself! 😀
BT's link was headed "Goosebumps"; even though I'm not Welsh, it was an apt description!
Our offerings at St. Pete's this morning weren't quite as soul-stirring as that, but a few of us were singing lustily and with good courage:
Judge eternal, throned in splendour - Rhuddlan Father, hear the prayer we offer - Sussex Holy Spirit, truth divine - Song 13 Brother, sister, let me serve you - Servant Song Thy hand, O God, has guided - Thornbury
Considering the political upheavals of the last few weeks, the words of the first hymn seemed particularly appropriate ...
Good selection of hymns for All Saints and All Souls today at St. Pete's:
All hail the power of Jesus' name - Miles Lane Be thou my vision - Slane Light's abode, celestial Salem - Regent Square How sweet the name of Jesus sounds - St. Peter For all the saints - Sine Nomine
A rather minimal turnout at Our Place today, with several families still Away on half-term, but the Faithful Few made a joyful noise unto the Lord.
The opening hymn was what we call POM! For all the saints, to the glorious Sine Nomine by RVW, but the livestream wasn't very good (and my broadband keeps crashing), so I haven't checked out the rest yet.
We didn't "do" All Saints. The first part of the services was about not needing to fear Hallowe'e, the second part focussed on Zacchaeus as per the lectionary. A surprisingly good congregation, and torrential rain in the middle of the service.
We sang:
"Jesus! The name high over all" (Lydia).
"Nada te turbe" (Taize chant).
“Praise the one who breaks the darkness” (Nettleton).
“Open my eyes that I may see”.
“Will you come and follow me?” (Kelvingrove, unintentionally a capella).
“He who would valiant be” (Monk's Gate and complete with hobgoblins).
Quite a good selection, especially the one with Hobgoblins and Foul Fiends...
Our Place used the first four verses of POM! For all the saints as the opening hymn, and the last four verses as the closing hymn. It's a bit long otherwise, unless you have a procession, which in Our Case we did not have.
The Communion hymn was Be still, for the presence of the Lord, but I still haven't worked out what the Offertory hymn was - the sound failed on the livestream (or else it was my dodgy internet connection).
I haven't watched it all, but St Albans Cathedral kicked off their 1115am Choral Eucharist (a proper High Mass) with Who are these like stars appearing? which appears to be of late 17thC German origin as regards words and music, but translated and adapted by Frances Cox and W H Monk.
Quite a good selection, especially the one with Hobgoblins and Foul Fiends...
I chose the archaic version deliberately as I wanted them to be included. I did however feel the need to apologise for the gendered language and say that females can also be pilgrims.
Quite a good selection, especially the one with Hobgoblins and Foul Fiends...
I chose the archaic version deliberately as I wanted them to be included. I did however feel the need to apologise for the gendered language and say that females can also be pilgrims.
Of course, Mr Bunyan himself wrote about female pilgrims in his famous Boke...
Comments
Many of the older hymns we still have are theologically more objective than a fair few recent offerings, or so ISTM.
Cynical, moi?
There's that, but I was thinking more of the one which says *He sends the snow in winter, the warmth to swell the grain, the breezes and the sunshine, and soft refreshing rain.*
Well, so he might have done, before we fouled everything up...
I felt very Biblical whilst doing so. Just as Our Blessed Lord described in his parable, some fell on the path, some on rather stony ground etc. etc., and I daresay some was devoured by fowls of the air once my back was turned.
At St. Pete's we were celebrating the feast of St. Luke, although how much that was reflected in the hymns I'm not sure I'm qualified to ponder:
One more step along the world I go - Southcote
Disposer supreme, and judge of the earth - Hanover
Hail to the Lord's anointed- Crüger
Our God loves us - Plaisir d'Amour
O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness - Was Lebet
Another naughty tangent I'm afraid, but I can't help thinking of a recently very prominent politician who did just that.
So did we. I can't think why.
I have to say the tune doesn't strike me as immediately congregation-friendly ...
Exactly! That's why we couldn't find an alternate tune. The service had been planned by the URC moderator, who was supposed to be leading worship today, but she is recovering from Covid, so our minister decided to use the service she had prepared anyway, including this unknown hymn.
BTW I attended our local URC Synod meeting on Saturday as an "ecumenical guest".
That is a dreadful tune. It has no symmetry anywhere or sense of direction!
I know. I am sure I could have written a better tune myself! 😀
That's an excellent example of how ecumenism can work at the parish/local church level. And of trust being placed in you.
I'm sorry, I haven't a clue.
Other panel games are available ...
Hence the need for an antidote.
One way to lose a congregation without even trying.
IME about two thirds of the congregation don't sing anyway so they won't notice if the hymn's unknown.
Ours have been almost silent since Covid. As one of the musicians I find it pretty depressing - I didn't sign up to provide a concert every Sunday.
There’re always a few people who don’t sing, no matter what, but they’re very much the exception.
Part of the problem is that about of a third of the congregation didn't return after lockdown. Mainly the (relatively) younger people. People are more spread out. I have suggested that the back few rows of chairs should be removed to encourage people to become more of one body. Vetoed. We used to raise the roof with people singing simple harmonies. Not any more.
There's definitely a gender divide - lots of men never sing IME, the women are a bit more forthcoming.
I have a theory that most people seldom sing after puberty. Many men have never really explored their post-change voice at all.
About 3% of the population regularly attends football matches. Of them, what percentage sing? How big is the crossover with church attendance?
It's the usual counter-example given but I think that proves the point. Adults, generally, do not sing.
One who does sing loudly, but not tunefully, is FatherInCharge. He also sometimes forgets to turn off his neck mike during the entrance hymn, which he often doesn't know by heart. Last Sunday's hymn (to the tune Hills of the North, rejoice) was *La-la-la-la-la-LAH!*
I did actually have a go! See if you think its any better... https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hKqRRGUiKgOV6aAxPvbBn_RV4aA6J6MU/view?usp=sharing
Our offerings at St. Pete's this morning weren't quite as soul-stirring as that, but a few of us were singing lustily and with good courage:
Judge eternal, throned in splendour - Rhuddlan
Father, hear the prayer we offer - Sussex
Holy Spirit, truth divine - Song 13
Brother, sister, let me serve you - Servant Song
Thy hand, O God, has guided - Thornbury
Considering the political upheavals of the last few weeks, the words of the first hymn seemed particularly appropriate ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1oTLkhE9qM
Thank you for that, much appreciated today
All hail the power of Jesus' name - Miles Lane
Be thou my vision - Slane
Light's abode, celestial Salem - Regent Square
How sweet the name of Jesus sounds - St. Peter
For all the saints - Sine Nomine
My Lighthouse - with some actions, but not like these!
Waymaker
The opening hymn was what we call POM! For all the saints, to the glorious Sine Nomine by RVW, but the livestream wasn't very good (and my broadband keeps crashing), so I haven't checked out the rest yet.
We sang:
"Jesus! The name high over all" (Lydia).
"Nada te turbe" (Taize chant).
“Praise the one who breaks the darkness” (Nettleton).
“Open my eyes that I may see”.
“Will you come and follow me?” (Kelvingrove, unintentionally a capella).
“He who would valiant be” (Monk's Gate and complete with hobgoblins).
Our Place used the first four verses of POM! For all the saints as the opening hymn, and the last four verses as the closing hymn. It's a bit long otherwise, unless you have a procession, which in Our Case we did not have.
The Communion hymn was Be still, for the presence of the Lord, but I still haven't worked out what the Offertory hymn was - the sound failed on the livestream (or else it was my dodgy internet connection).
I haven't watched it all, but St Albans Cathedral kicked off their 1115am Choral Eucharist (a proper High Mass) with Who are these like stars appearing? which appears to be of late 17thC German origin as regards words and music, but translated and adapted by Frances Cox and W H Monk.
Of course, Mr Bunyan himself wrote about female pilgrims in his famous Boke...