Best and worst hymns?

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Loud-living-dogma said:
Okay, you seem to be nudging me into full curmudgeon mode!
I guess the main problem with the song is this particular performance of it. The first thing is the choice of instruments: piano - not a liturgical instrument, piano is more of a popular or concert instrument, drumset enters at 1:07 - do I have to explain why a drumset is not liturgical? Twangy guitar enters at 1:30 – when you hear the twangy guitar line, do you think “Catholic Mass”?
The singer sings ably in this particular style (breathy pop style crooned into a microphone, complete with country-style scoops and glides into the pitches). In short, it sounds like AM radio of the 1970s. Great if you like that sort of thing, but not sacred liturgical music.
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A curmudgeon? No! Good discussion of polar opposites? Yes!

L-L-D: I appreciate you posting your opinion about this song. I am always curious about the why; sometimes too much that it gets me in trouble. But, not here. Will I do this song again? Absolutely. Will I continue to use our grand piano, organ, guitars, and drums at all my choral Masses? Yes. Will I continue to blend in some traditional hymns with the contemporary? Yes. Will I and my pastor and bishop (cathedral uses a piano and drum set at times also) question my song selections as not sacred and liturgical? No, otherwise I would have been long gone 35 years ago. Will our Life Teen Band continue to survive with large numbers attending? Yes. If you think this really sounds like an AM radio 70s song, so be it. I really don’t. I think you know my answer to: “when you hear the twangy guitar line, do you think “Catholic Mass”?” But, let me guess, a Catholic Mass can only be described then by chant alone?

I like your frankness, my friend. If this forum contained only people who always agreed on all subjects, there would be no forum. I chuckle though at your use of many negative adjectives and descriptive words and phrases to make your point a home run. And, that’s just fine. The link was an interesting read. Can’t imagine why you like it. LOL! The title of the dot com says it all. It’s opinion that supports your position; almost wrote “argument,” but I don’t think our discussion is that.

As we both read this thread and the other one about liking contemporary music, there is a difference of opinions on musical styles. Music is one fraction of the entire Mass. If chant helps you worship in such a way to be able to be Catholic and spread the Word in action and deed, great. If contemporary music helps others worship to go out and do the same, great. Both have done the job.

Peace and Blessings.
 
Peace Train is great too–but sure haven’t seen that one in church yet 🙂
 
It’s rarely used my parish. I can see where you are coming from though as we have our overused tunes and hymns too. I would take Ode to Joy over a lot of what I hear. At least everyone knows it and therefore has no excuse not to sing 😃
 
CoeurRempli said:
It’s rarely used my parish. I can see where you are coming from though as we have our overused tunes and hymns too. I would take Ode to Joy over a lot of what I hear. At least everyone knows it and therefore has no excuse not to sing 😃
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I agree! I don’t think you can ever over do Beethoven. But I rarely hear it the parishes near me.
 
Check out Audrey Assad’s “Oh the deep deep love of Jesus” on YouTube. Same tune as Morning Has Broken, and just a beautiful song in my opinion.
 
In the CBW III there is another hymn with the same tune as Morning Has Broken. It’s This Day God Gives Me, Sometimes we do one, sometimes we do the other. I hate the tune but the words of both are OK.
 
There is also “Christ Be Beside Me”, which is my favorite hymn set to the tune of “Morning Has Broken.”
 
Wow that’s really beautiful! Lovely! I wish they sang this in our church.
 
Anyone listen to Vivaldi’s Gloria? There are a few versions but I am talking about RV 589.
 
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Thanks for the cordial and open discussion Ron! I admit to being perhaps too negative! 🤣 I’m curious if your priests chant their parts of the Mass – you know, the way they are supposed to? Lol. I think that helps set the tone for what liturgy is meant to sound like. As people say “singing the Mass”, rather than singing AT the Mass.
 
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We just sang that this past Sunday. Not a favorite but not one of the worse.
 
Maxwell03 said:
Wow that’s really beautiful! Lovely! I wish they sang this in our church.
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Not everyone likes Rutter’s arrangements but I prefer this one to the DIX tune to which this hymn is usually sung.
 
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Loud-living-dogma said:
Thanks for the cordial and open discussion Ron! I admit to being perhaps too negative! 🤣 I’m curious if your priests chant their parts of the Mass – you know, the way they are supposed to? Lol. I think that helps set the tone for what liturgy is meant to sound like. As people say “singing the Mass”, rather than singing AT the Mass.
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Sure, no problem. Negativity comes into play with all of us at times. Don’t tell anyone, but, I don’t think I’ve written many posts where I could send them without rewriting them to be a bit softer. We all get excited about our opinions and the way we want things to be done and are protective of that.

Chant: we live in an area where many priests retire to and have a seminary within 20 miles or so. My pastor is getting older and knows his limitations, so we get a a mixture of retired and priests who are teachers at the seminary. Some chant their parts and prayers, some do not. All my 3 groups are ready for whatever may be. And, my friend, I do not “boycott” the chant response (LOL), but rather like it. Surprised? The congregation’s response is quite good as well. As much as I like the blend of music styles, I like the blend of this as well.

To be honest, I really never understood the many meanings I’ve heard regarding “singing the Mass vs. singing at the Mass.”

Peace and Blessings.
 
I have so many hymns that I crave, but City of God is near the top. The hymn is extremely optimistic and is perfectly consistent with the scriptures. It’s like a prophecy set to the scriptures that I believe everyone should take to heart and rejoice!
 
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Much to my personal joy - we did the Pentecost sequence to Ode to Joy!
 
Count me among Ode to Joy fans. However, I think it (and almost alll of the great hymns mentioned in this thread) should be sung only 1-3 times per year. There are enough good hymns to fill 52 Sundays. Plus there’s something special about hearing a song you haven’t heard in a long while. At least for me.
 
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