Are these the 10 worst songs of all time?

[bmadamsberry]

Actually, Here I Am is bad theologically as well. The focus on Here I Am is not about God. It’s about my response. It’s about what I am doing. Most of the refrain is in the first person. The focus needs to be on God, not on what I am doing. It’s not about me/we. It’s about Him.

What you seem to not understand is that we pray as we believe. The Mass is a prayer. If we put all the focus on ourselves, even in our singing, then, we have missed the point.

Eagles Wings, aside from the sappy music, is not really that great of a song. Whenever I hear it, I think of the exchange that Satan had with Jesus where the devil quotes a section of the very passage on which Eagles Wings is based. When I was haggling with the organist at my grandmother’s former parish for the funeral Mass music, she suggested that song and I told her that under no circumstances would that be played at the Masss. It is a tawdry song that sounds more like it belongs in a Hallmark card commercial than in the Holy Sacrifice.

We Remember is very bad because it waters down the Catholic Faith significantlly. Inasmuch as Marty Haugen is Protestant and does not have a real clue about the Faith, this is a song that should not be used at Mass. The theology is horrible. It reduces the Mass to a simple meal and, again, puts the focus on us and on what we are doing. This song, especially, should not be used in any Catholic setting. To equate it to the Creed is to not have a true sense of the Faith of the Church. Gather Us In is just as bad, if not worse, because it is a glorification of ourselves than anything else. It also has a very poor understanding of the Faith. If you notice, there is not even one mention of God in that song.

As far as the Creed is concerned, it is a statement of Faith. We proclaim what we believe at that point in the Mass. We are stating that we believe in every part of the Creed. For you to equate that with music is, with all due respect, a misunderstanding of why we do what we do at certain points in the Mass.

The law of prayer equals to the law of belief. The hymns used for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass need to reflect that. None of the songs on that list reflect that.

With all due respect, your theology is horrible. As I explained, Here I Am is not about us, but about G-d. When Mary said “I am the Lord’s servant” and “may it be done unto me according to thy word”, is she glorifying herself? No. In the same way, we can glorify G-d by singing how we want to do whatever he asks. You are a very “either, or” kind of person, and the Catholic Church is almost never “either, or”. The focus isn’t all on ourselves; when you pray to G-d and tell him that you are open to his will, are you being selfish? Are you concentrating on yourself instead of G-d? Or are you giving honor and glory to G-d by saying that you want to do his will? You keep ignoring these.

Your reference to Satan’s quote being in Eagles Wings means nothing. So what? Should we cut out from the Old Testament the verses that Satan quotes in the New? No! Furthermore, it matters not that your mind goes to Satan’s quote… it says more about you than about the song. It shows that you aren’t charitable with songs, that you try to find the bad before you find the good. In regards to the music being bad for the song… some of that is subjective (not everyone enjoys the same music). However, I can agree that it is a difficult song for a congregation to sing.

In reference to We Remeber: Does it matter if it’s wattered down? In fact, any Catholic song is going to be wattered down to some degree; if a person could talk for hours on a single subject in Catholicism, what makes us think a 3 minute song is going to capture anything significant? You comments in regards to my analogy to the Creed shows me you lacking theology. Analogies only go so far. They aren’t perfect. For a perfect analogy, one would have to compare the same thing (The Creed is the Creed, G-d is G-d, etc.). Therefore, within theology and philosophy, one is supposed to concentrate on the similarities of the analogy. If you would look at the similarities, the fact that in each we discuss what we believe, you will see that they are both giving glory to G-d. However, as in all analogies, there are differences (of course there are, else they would both be the same thing!).

When I say the sentence “Go run” who am I talking to? Anyone will tell you “You”. It is assumed. In the same way, if I said “Gather us in” the assumed word and the person that I am addressing, is G-d. In reference to other songs that never mention G-d, Salve Regina (Hail Holy Queen) is one of them. There are others if you care to look.

All-in-all, is the theology great in these songs? No. But we must also remember that very few Catholic songs have “really great” theologies because there’s only so much you can say in a song.

 

[benedictgal]

With all due respect, your theology is horrible. As I explained, Here I Am is not about us, but about G-d. When Mary said “I am the Lord’s servant” and “may it be done unto me according to thy word”, is she glorifying herself? No. In the same way, we can glorify G-d by singing how we want to do whatever he asks. You are a very “either, or” kind of person, and the Catholic Church is almost never “either, or”. The focus isn’t all on ourselves; when you pray to G-d and tell him that you are open to his will, are you being selfish? Are you concentrating on yourself instead of G-d? Or are you giving honor and glory to G-d by saying that you want to do his will? You keep ignoring these.

Your reference to Satan’s quote being in Eagles Wings means nothing. So what? Should we cut out from the Old Testament the verses that Satan quotes in the New? No! Furthermore, it matters not that your mind goes to Satan’s quote… it says more about you than about the song. It shows that you aren’t charitable with songs, that you try to find the bad before you find the good. In regards to the music being bad for the song… some of that is subjective (not everyone enjoys the same music). However, I can agree that it is a difficult song for a congregation to sing.

In reference to We Remeber: Does it matter if it’s wattered down? In fact, any Catholic song is going to be wattered down to some degree; if a person could talk for hours on a single subject in Catholicism, what makes us think a 3 minute song is going to capture anything significant? You comments in regards to my analogy to the Creed shows me you lacking theology. Analogies only go so far. They aren’t perfect. For a perfect analogy, one would have to compare the same thing (The Creed is the Creed, G-d is G-d, etc.). Therefore, within theology and philosophy, one is supposed to concentrate on the similarities of the analogy. If you would look at the similarities, the fact that in each we discuss what we believe, you will see that they are both giving glory to G-d. However, as in all analogies, there are differences (of course there are, else they would both be the same thing!).

When I say the sentence “Go run” who am I talking to? Anyone will tell you “You”. It is assumed. In the same way, if I said “Gather us in” the assumed word and the person that I am addressing, is G-d. In reference to other songs that never mention G-d, Salve Regina (Hail Holy Queen) is one of them. There are others if you care to look.

All-in-all, is the theology great in these songs? No. But we must also remember that very few Catholic songs have “really great” theologies because there’s only so much you can say in a song.

First of all, the theology is very bad for these songs. To begin with, a non-Catholic wrote We Remember and Gather Us In and the composer, because he is Protestant, does not have a sense of what the Church teaches. Here I Am, makes the focus on the person’s actions, rather than on God’s.

Your example of Hail Holy Queen really does not apply to your defense of Gather Us In. That song stresses what “we” are doing. There is no mention of God anywhere in that song. Furthermore, it’s a glorification of ourselves more than anything else.

Again, we pray as we believe. These songs are not at all consistent with Catholic theology.

The older songs, like, “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” and “Alleluia, Sing to Jesus”, have solid theology. Here are the lyrics to “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence”:

Let all mortal flesh keep silence,
And with fear and trembling stand;
Ponder nothing earthly minded,
For with blessing in His hand,
Christ our God to earth descendeth,
Our full homage to demand.

King of kings, yet born of Mary,
As of old on earth He stood,
Lord of lords, in human vesture,
In the body and the blood;
He will give to all the faithful
His own self for heavenly food.

Rank on rank the host of heaven
Spreads its vanguard on the way,
As the Light of light descendeth
From the realms of endless day,
That the powers of hell may vanish
As the darkness clears away.

At His feet the six wingèd seraph,
Cherubim with sleepless eye,
Veil their faces to the presence,
As with ceaseless voice they cry:
Alleluia, Alleluia
Alleluia, Lord Most High!

Here are the lyrics to Alleluia, Sing to Jesus

Alleluia! sing to Jesus!
His the scepter, his the throne.
Alleluia! His the triumph,
his the victory alone.
Hark! the songs of peaceful Zion
thunder like a mighty flood.
Jesus out of every nation
hath redeemed us by his blood.

Alleluia! not as orphans
are we left in sorrow now;
Alleluia! He is near us,
faith believes, nor questions how;
Though the cloud from sight received him
when the forty days were o’er
shall our hearts forget his promise,
‘I am with you evermore’?

Alleluia! bread of heaven,
here on earth our food and stay!
Alleluia! here the sinful
flee to thee from day to day.
Intercessor, Friend of sinners,
earth’s Redeemer, plead for me.
Where the songs of all the sinless
sweep across the crystal sea.

Alleluia! King eternal,
thee the Lord of lords we own;
Alleluia! born of Mary,
earth thy footstool,
heaven thy throne.
Thou within the veil hast entered,
robed in flesh, our great High Priest.
Thou on earth both Priest and Victim
in the Eucharistic Feast.

Both of these songs are solid in their liturgical theology. I cannot say the same about We Remember, Gather Us In and Here, I Am.

 

[bmadamsberry]

First of all, the theology is very bad for these songs. To begin with, a non-Catholic wrote We Remember and Gather Us In and the composer, because he is Protestant, does not have a sense of what the Church teaches. Here I Am, makes the focus on the person’s actions, rather than on God’s.

Your example of Hail Holy Queen really does not apply to your defense of Gather Us In. That song stresses what “we” are doing. There is no mention of God anywhere in that song. Furthermore, it’s a glorification of ourselves more than anything else.

Again, we pray as we believe. These songs are not at all consistent with Catholic theology.

The older songs, like, “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” and “Alleluia, Sing to Jesus”, have solid theology. Here are the lyrics to “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence”:

Here are the lyrics to Alleluia, Sing to Jesus

Both of these songs are solid in their liturgical theology. I cannot say the same about We Remember, Gather Us In and Here, I Am.

We’ll have to agree to disagree. You obviously have missed the entire point about Salve Regina (the point was that the song also did not have G-d’s name anywhere in it, just like Gather Us In.) It does apply in the sense that something other than G-d can be sung about, and yet the song still give glory and honor to G-d. Simply stating that it doesn’t does not make it so. The songs that you mentioned can easily be torn apart theologically if one wanted to be uncharitable to the song.

But anyway, we aren’t going to get anywhere in this discussion.

 

[benedictgal]

We’ll have to agree to disagree. You obviously have missed the entire point about Salve Regina (the point was that the song also did not have G-d’s name anywhere in it, just like Gather Us In.) It does apply in the sense that something other than G-d can be sung about, and yet the song still give glory and honor to G-d. Simply stating that it doesn’t does not make it so. The songs that you mentioned can easily be torn apart theologically if one wanted to be uncharitable to the song.

But anyway, we aren’t going to get anywhere in this discussion.

No. I did not miss your comments. But, with all due respect, you failed to make the connection. The Salve Regina actually has God in it. Salve Regina, Mater Dei is Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of God in Latin. Now, Hail Holy Queen Enthroned Above is a song in honor of the Mother of God. Gather Us In is a poor glofication of our magnificent selves and has very poor theology. Thus, your connection fails to make your point. Gather Us In is bad theology. It does not give honor and glory to God; rather, it glorifies ourselves.

P.S.: You don’t have to leave out the letter “o” when typing the word “God”. There is no disrespect in mentioning the Lord’s Name.

It is a shame that you cannot see the sound theology in both Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence (which comes from the 6th century Liturgy of St. James) and Alleluia, Sing to Jesus.

 

[bmadamsberry]

No. I did not miss your comments. But, with all due respect, you failed to make the connection. The Salve Regina actually has God in it. Salve Regina, Mater Dei is Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of God in Latin. Now, Hail Holy Queen Enthroned Above is a song in honor of the Mother of God. Gather Us In is a poor glofication of our magnificent selves and has very poor theology. Thus, your connection fails to make your point. Gather Us In is bad theology.

It is a shame that you cannot see the sound theology in both Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence (which comes from the 6th century Liturgy of St. James) and Alleluia, Sing to Jesus.

You misunderstand what I acutally said. I said that “the songs that you mentioned can easily be torn apart theologically if one wanted to be uncharitable to the song”. With all due respect, you need to pay better attention to what it being stated. One could take virtually any song and uncharitably tear it apart theologically, because to expect a song to perfectly capture (or even capture well) theological Truths is kind of crazy. The two songs you listed are theologically good; however if I came at them like you have done with songs like We Remember and Gather Us In, I could tear them apart. It’s a shame that you didn’t read my comment better.

Again, though, it seems that this is a matter of you not liking these songs and so, no matter what, you aren’t going to be okay with them. As long as I am fine with them theologically and they don’t break Church rules (for example, using YHW) then I’ll gladly listen and sing with them at Mass, knowing that I am singing for the glory of G-d the almighty, from whose altar and table I receive Him.

 

[Newbie2]

I always get a kick out of these threads; songs get picked apart and savaged for their “theology”. As well, I get a smile out of the comments about how they should be banned, etc. from the liturgy.

All I really have to say is that I like a few on that list of ten and don’t a couple others, and ambivalent on the rest.

As far as their “theology”, personally I look to music not as a homily or a theological discourse, but as sort of a inspiration and participation in the mass.

And as far as if they are appropriate or not, I trust our Priest and Bishop to do their jobs and not to “backseat drive” the hymn selection.

 

[benedictgal]

You misunderstand what I acutally said. I said that “the songs that you mentioned can easily be torn apart theologically if one wanted to be uncharitable to the song”. With all due respect, you need to pay better attention to what it being stated. One could take virtually any song and uncharitably tear it apart theologically, because to expect a song to perfectly capture (or even capture well) theological Truths is kind of crazy. The two songs you listed are theologically good; however if I came at them like you have done with songs like We Remember and Gather Us In, I could tear them apart. It’s a shame that you didn’t read my comment better.

Again, though, it seems that this is a matter of you not liking these songs and so, no matter what, you aren’t going to be okay with them. As long as I am fine with them theologically and they don’t break Church rules (for example, using YHW) then I’ll gladly listen and sing with them at Mass, knowing that I am singing for the glory of G-d the almighty, from whose altar and table I receive Him.

But, you seem to not realize that the theology is very bad for Gather Us In, We Remember and the like. They do not reflect an accurate Sensus Fidei of the Church.

I did read your post. Regarding the two songs that I noted, there is nothing theologically wrong with them. In fact, they are quite consistent with the Church’s sacramental and liturgical theology. Unless you knew very little about the Church’s teachnigs, you would be hard-pressed to tear the songs apart.

Just because we like certain songs, that does not make them fitting for the Mass. As Pope Benedict stated, certainly as far as the Mass is concerned, we cannot say that one song is as good as another.

 

[bmadamsberry]

But, you seem to not realize that the theology is very bad for Gather Us In, We Remember and the like. They do not reflect an accurate Sensus Fidei of the Church.

I did read your post. Regarding the two songs that I noted, there is nothing theologically wrong with them. In fact, they are quite consistent with the Church’s sacramental and liturgical theology. Unless you knew very little about the Church’s teachnigs, you would be hard-pressed to tear the songs apart.

Just because we like certain songs, that does not make them fitting for the Mass. As Pope Benedict stated, certainly as far as the Mass is concerned, we cannot say that one song is as good as another.

Let all mortal flesh keep silence, But we are called to make a joyful noise to the Lord
And with fear and trembling stand;
Ponder nothing earthly minded,
For with blessing in His hand,
Christ our God to earth descendeth, Christ didn’t descend to Earth. He was born of the Virgin Mary
Our full homage to demand. Christ doesn’t demand our homage. He asks for it. Just like he doesn’t force salvation upon us.

King of kings, yet born of Mary, This sounds like he was pure human. It doesn’t mention that he is begotten, not made
As of old on earth He stood,
Lord of lords, in human vesture,
In the body and the blood;
He will give to all the faithful
His own self for heavenly food. This is putting an emphasis on the meal instead of the sacrifice of the Mass

Rank on rank the host of heaven
Spreads its vanguard on the way,
As the Light of light descendeth
From the realms of endless day,
That the powers of hell may vanish
As the darkness clears away.

At His feet the six wingèd seraph,
Cherubim with sleepless eye,
Veil their faces to the presence,
As with ceaseless voice they cry:
Alleluia, Alleluia
Alleluia, Lord Most High! Scripture never says that these two types of Angels sing this. Furthermore, what about the other angels? Is this song saying that there are no other angels?

Is what I said ridiculous? Yes, of course. Mainly because I think the song does have theological merit. But what I am trying to show is that if you go at a song with your mind set against it, then you’re going to find the problems. But one should approach these songs trying to find their merit.

 

[benedictgal]

Let all mortal flesh keep silence, But we are called to make a joyful noise to the Lord
And with fear and trembling stand;
Ponder nothing earthly minded,
For with blessing in His hand,
Christ our God to earth descendeth, Christ didn’t descend to Earth. He was born of the Virgin Mary
Our full homage to demand. Christ doesn’t demand our homage. He asks for it. Just like he doesn’t force salvation upon us.

King of kings, yet born of Mary, This sounds like he was pure human. It doesn’t mention that he is begotten, not made
As of old on earth He stood,
Lord of lords, in human vesture,
In the body and the blood;
He will give to all the faithful
His own self for heavenly food. This is putting an emphasis on the meal instead of the sacrifice of the Mass

Rank on rank the host of heaven
Spreads its vanguard on the way,
As the Light of light descendeth
From the realms of endless day,
That the powers of hell may vanish
As the darkness clears away.

At His feet the six wingèd seraph,
Cherubim with sleepless eye,
Veil their faces to the presence,
As with ceaseless voice they cry:
Alleluia, Alleluia
Alleluia, Lord Most High! Scripture never says that these two types of Angels sing this. Furthermore, what about the other angels? Is this song saying that there are no other angels?

Is what I said ridiculous? Yes, of course. Mainly because I think the song does have theological merit. But what I am trying to show is that if you go at a song with your mind set against it, then you’re going to find the problems. But one should approach these songs trying to find their merit.

But, again, the difference, the big difference, is that, as you indicated, the critique of Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence would come from someone who knows absolutely nothing about the Catholic faith. On the other hand, the songs by Marty Haugen, who is not Catholic and does not have a sense of the Catholic faith, are full of bad theology. Even if the song had a Gregorian melody, it would be bad because of the poor theology (that borders on heresy).

 

[bmadamsberry]

But, again, the difference, the big difference, is that, as you indicated, the critique of Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence would come from someone who knows absolutely nothing about the Catholic faith. On the other hand, the songs by Marty Haugen, who is not Catholic and does not have a sense of the Catholic faith, are full of bad theology. Even if the song had a Gregorian melody, it would be bad because of the poor theology (that borders on heresy).

So, because someone is not Catholic, they can’t write Catholic theological songs? That would have surprised the people that knew me before I converted, when I was instructing some of them on Catholic theology.
The theology does not border on heresy. Now you’ve reached an absurd level. You can just fling out the word heresy to bludgeon a song that you don’t like because you think it is weak theologically. Something that is weak theologically is not heresy.

 

[CatholicZ09]

I don’t mean to butt in benedictgal and bmadamsberry, but if the conversation between you two gets too heated, this thread will end up being closed. I suggest that if you want to continue the arguement, do it through private messaging.

 

[benedictgal]

With all due respect, your theology is horrible. As I explained, Here I Am is not about us, but about G-d. When Mary said “I am the Lord’s servant” and “may it be done unto me according to thy word”, is she glorifying herself? No. In the same way, we can glorify G-d by singing how we want to do whatever he asks. You are a very “either, or” kind of person, and the Catholic Church is almost never “either, or”. The focus isn’t all on ourselves; when you pray to G-d and tell him that you are open to his will, are you being selfish? Are you concentrating on yourself instead of G-d? Or are you giving honor and glory to G-d by saying that you want to do his will? You keep ignoring these.

Your reference to Satan’s quote being in Eagles Wings means nothing. So what? Should we cut out from the Old Testament the verses that Satan quotes in the New? No! Furthermore, it matters not that your mind goes to Satan’s quote… it says more about you than about the song. It shows that you aren’t charitable with songs, that you try to find the bad before you find the good. In regards to the music being bad for the song… some of that is subjective (not everyone enjoys the same music). However, I can agree that it is a difficult song for a congregation to sing.

In reference to We Remeber: Does it matter if it’s wattered down? In fact, any Catholic song is going to be wattered down to some degree; if a person could talk for hours on a single subject in Catholicism, what makes us think a 3 minute song is going to capture anything significant? You comments in regards to my analogy to the Creed shows me you lacking theology. Analogies only go so far. They aren’t perfect. For a perfect analogy, one would have to compare the same thing (The Creed is the Creed, G-d is G-d, etc.). Therefore, within theology and philosophy, one is supposed to concentrate on the similarities of the analogy. If you would look at the similarities, the fact that in each we discuss what we believe, you will see that they are both giving glory to G-d. However, as in all analogies, there are differences (of course there are, else they would both be the same thing!).

When I say the sentence “Go run” who am I talking to? Anyone will tell you “You”. It is assumed. In the same way, if I said “Gather us in” the assumed word and the person that I am addressing, is G-d. In reference to other songs that never mention G-d, Salve Regina (Hail Holy Queen) is one of them. There are others if you care to look.

All-in-all, is the theology great in these songs? No. But we must also remember that very few Catholic songs have “really great” theologies because there’s only so much you can say in a song.

Actually, the songs whose lyrics I posted prove your point. Whatever is to be sung at Mass needs to be consistent with Catholic liturgical and sacramental theology. Your arguments seem to ignore what Pope Benedict stated in Sacramentum Caritatis:

Certainly as far as the liturgy is concerned, we cannot say that one song is as good as another. Generic improvisation or the introduction of musical genres which fail to respect the meaning of the liturgy should be avoided. As an element of the liturgy, song should be well integrated into the overall celebration (128). Consequently everything – texts, music, execution – ought to correspond to the meaning of the mystery being celebrated, the structure of the rite and the liturgical seasons (129).

Thus, theology is important. The text and the music are important. They need to correspond with the mystery being celebrated. The songs in question do not.

 

[benedictgal]

I don’t mean to butt in benedictgal and bmadamsberry, but if the conversation between you two gets too heated, this thread will end up being closed. I suggest that if you want to continue the arguement, do it through private messaging.

You’re right. I’ll make a new thread on this. Incidentally, I sent the list to a priest friend of mine and he was disappointed that “Lord of the Dance” was not on there. We laughed because we sang a lot of the songs on the last over the course of two Sundays.

 

[CatholicZ09]

thank you. I’ve seen how heated these threads can become and they all end up being closed. I don’t want that to happen again.

 

[CatholicZ09]

Back to the original topic; I was scanning through the Breaking Bread hymnal and saw that near the back they have “Your Grace is Enough” by Matt Maher. Now, I don’t think anything by Maher should be used during the Mass. I think its use should only be used at some kind of Catholic Youth concert. I don’t know why they put his music in the hymnals when they really don’t sound appropriate at all for Mass.

These are the lyrics:

1. Great is your faithfulness, O God of Jacob;
   you wrestle with the sinner’s restless heart.
   You lead me by still waters into mercy
   where nothing can keep us apart.

Refrain: So remember your people, re-
member your children, remember your
promise, O God. For your
grace is enough, yeah, your grace is enough,
yeah, your grace is enough, yeah, your grace
is enough for me.

        2. Great is your love and justice, O God of Jacob;
            you use the weak to lead the strong.
            You lead us in the song of heaven's vict'ry
            and all your people sing along. (Refrain)

Now, theologically, it might not be that bad, but for the Mass, I don’t think it’s that great because it reminds me too much of a youth concert.

 

[benedictgal]

Back to the original topic; I was scanning through the Breaking Bread hymnal and saw that near the back they have “Your Grace is Enough” by Matt Maher. Now, I don’t think anything by Maher should be used during the Mass. I think its use should only be used at some kind of Catholic Youth concert. I don’t know why they put his music in the hymnals when they really don’t sound appropriate at all for Mass.

These are the lyrics:

Now, theologically, it might not be that bad, but for the Mass, I don’t think it’s that great because it reminds me too much of a youth concert.

You’re right. Even the lyrics are problematic because it does not factor in the Church’s sacramental theology. I would not even use it for a youth gathering because its poor theology might even be confusing to the youth.

 

[snowlake]

Thus, theology is important. The text and the music are important. They need to correspond with the mystery being celebrated. The songs in question do not.

This is a very important point. Sometimes, when called upon to explain our objection to
a certain song and its use in the liturgy, we focus on one aspect or another. Only one
aspect can be discussed at a time.But in the songs listed, it is a combination of factors
that make them objectionable (even though, with some of them, the case is closed when
considering just one or two).

BG quoted the Pope about the importance of not only text, but the musical setting itself
and the way it is executed. The overall combination of text/theology, musical style and
instrumentation is what puts the final nail in the coffin of the songs listed.

This doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with whether we “like” the song or not. It has to do with whether or not it is suited to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Some of the songs
might be better suited to a Christian radio station, or a CD, or to a SongFest, or to just
singing any old time outside of the Mass.

Even if the text of a song is NOT objectionable, that doesn’t necessarily make it suitable.
The compositional style and instrumentation might be too secular for use at Mass.

 

[elgar]

We Remember and Gather Us In are severely watered down, Protestantized intepretations of the Mass. In fact, Gather Us In (aside from the fact that you could merge that song with Gordon Lightfoot’s Wreck of the Edmond Fitzgerald) and Here I Am, Lord, place undue emphasis on the people and make God an after-thought. It focuses on what “we” are doing, rather than on God.

A lot of these songs sound like bad pop music from the 1970s and could very well fit into the genre of TV theme show songs, not at all suitable for the sacredness of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Musically, “I am the Bread of Life” and “Eagles’ Wings” are not really fit for the Mass. “Eagles’ Wings” is especially bad and not good for congregational singing.

The late Fr. Neuhaus frequently bemoaned of the abysmal state of “Catholic liturgical music.” He also had a very difficult time with the poor biblical translations that the American Catholic Church was basically stuck with because of episcopal wheelings and dealings. He obviously remembered how wonderful the music and texts were in his former church (Lutheran) which he never ceded.

For me, I like a text to be substantive and relate to the lectionary. The tune should be singable and interesting. And almost above all, the rhythm has to make sense, unlike so much that has been cranked out by writers who couldn’t pass a basic music compostion class. I live in the midwest and it seems to be all pretty much the same in the parishes–disposable missalettes that are impossible to follow. The hard bound resources are more of the same (Haugen, Haas, Glory and Praise ilk).

Back to the topic, my most dispised song is the Catholic national anthem, “On Eagle’s Wings.” It seems to be sung almost EVERY Sunday and EVERY funeral. If one has a liturgical bone in one’s body, there is no way that text fits in that often. Other than the refrain, the verses are very hard to sing by a congregation due mainly to the clunky rhythm --see my above comment. Just an aside, the guy who wrote the song, Michael Joncas, rues the day and has since crossed over to chant and the good stuff. Eternal penance I suppose.

 

[snowlake]

. Just an aside, the guy who wrote the song, Michael Joncas, rues the day and has since crossed over to chant and the good stuff. Eternal penance I suppose.

Wow! I didn’t know this. This is a very important point to bring up. It should be widely known. Where can I get more info on this fact? His action speaks more than the thousands of words that we can offer on the subject.

Is anyone familiar w/ “Let the Fire Fall”? This past Sunday I found myself at another
parish for the “Youth Mass”. It is not a “charismatic” parish, but this song was used
DURING communion, led by a small group of singers and a rock band(complete with electric guitars, bass, trap set etc.).We processed to receive Our Lord, received, and prayed with this in the background. I really shouldn’t say “background”, because it was amplified to an extreme. This Mass was “rocked” from beginning to end. The kids in the band and the singers were having so much fun rocking the night away, I wonder if they
even noticed the Mass.

 

[elgar]

Wow! I didn’t know this. This is a very important point to bring up. It should be widely known. Where can I get more info on this fact? His action speaks more than the thousands of words that we can offer on the subject.

Is anyone familiar w/ “Let the Fire Fall”? This past Sunday I found myself at another
parish for the “Youth Mass”. It is not a “charismatic” parish, but this song was used
DURING communion, led by a small group of singers and a rock band(complete with electric guitars, bass, trap set etc.).We processed to receive Our Lord, received, and prayed with this in the background. I really shouldn’t say “background”, because it was amplified to an extreme. This Mass was “rocked” from beginning to end. The kids in the band and the singers were having so much fun rocking the night away, I wonder if they
even noticed the Mass.

I’ll keep searching for the Joncas quote. Perhaps it was in a back issue of “First Things” or “Crisis” magazine. In the meantime enjoy this:
catholicculture.org/news/features/index.cfm?recnum=21821