Best and worst hymns?

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Phemie said:
I was thinking about this and the only person I can think of who could have pulled that off was the former Moravian minister. She had a lovely voice and knew Gregorian chant. She trained the young girl who played the title role in our production of “Agnes of God”. We’re a small town and if there are trained singers here I’ve yet to meet them.
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I grew up several miles outside the nearest small town. Yes, you have to hope someone talented moves in, preferably talent that likes to go to Mass on Saturday nights. (An entire “Sound of Music” family would be good. Why not complete with several altar servers while we’re at it, LOL?)
 
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Think we could convince the Von Trapp family to emigrate from Vermont to the frozen north?
 
I’m an organist and I find some of them really nice…being an early music fan, I really like the ones based on plainchant. But some of them are so cloying and over the top cheesy that I absolutely despise them.

With that in mind, here’s my anti-hit parade…and in many cases, it’s the melodies that I hate more than the words…

What a Friend We Have in Jesus
One Day at a Time Sweet Jesus
The Old Rugged Cross
Onward Christian Soldiers
How Great Thou Art
 
Lord of the Dance, IMO, is borderline heretical in its bizarre lyrics
 
  1. Here’s some interesting info:
    Lord of the Dance (hymn) - Wikipedia
In writing the lyrics to “Lord of the Dance” in 1963, Sydney Carter was inspired partly by Jesus, but also partly by a statue of the Hindu God Shiva as Nataraja (Shiva’s dancing pose) which sat on his desk,[3] and was partly intending simply to give tribute to Shaker music. He later stated, “I did not think the churches would like it at all. I thought many people would find it pretty far flown, probably heretical and anyway dubiously Christian. But in fact people did sing it and, unknown to me, it touched a chord … Anyway, it’s the sort of Christianity I believe in.”[3]

Sydney Carter wrote:

I see Christ as the incarnation of the piper who is calling us. He dances that shape and pattern which is at the heart of our reality. By Christ I mean not only Jesus; in other times and places, other planets, there may be other Lords of the Dance. But Jesus is the one I know of first and best. I sing of the dancing pattern in the life and words of Jesus.
 
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deMontfort said:
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Maximilian75:
Lord of the Dance, IMO, is borderline heretical in its bizarre lyrics
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Written around 1960 by a Brit.
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My father-in-law, a devout member of his United Church of Canada parish choir, loathed that “hymn”. When they changed their hymnal in the early 70s he ranted against this one.
 
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I note that the Telegraph did not say when this statement was made. Not that I object. Some people here believe that are trustworthy. Personally, I have never played that song, even though it is the most celebrated song of the last Century.
 
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PetraG said:
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Phemie:
Think we could convince the Von Trapp family to emigrate from Vermont to the frozen north?
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They’re from Austria. I don’t think cold is the issue, do you?
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Austria is a big country with a mostly temperate climate, outside of mountainous regions. Besides, the family has not lived in Austria since the 1930s. They settled in Vermont in 1940 and those who are still alive have never had Austria as their home.
 
babochka said:
Austria is a big country with a mostly temperate climate, outside of mountainous regions. Besides, the family has not lived in Austria since the 1930s. They settled in Vermont in 1940 and those who are still alive have never had Austria as their home.
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I don’t think Vermont is the top choice of immigrants who don’t like a real winter, let’s just say that. Still, once you learn to love Vermont, it probably takes quite a crowbar to dislodge you!
 
Stabat Mater is one of my favorites. I listened to maybe three compositions, but they are pretty lengthy.
 
That is just brutal. Not tolerable to a trained singer at all. Tone deafening.
 
Thank you! I found it wonderful. He can also preach! Never let those with their nose in the air stop you from praising God!
 
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Sing Of The Lord’s Praises by Sands. Clearly a rip-off of Brubeck’s Take Five. Someone should break out a Saxophone or Clarinet at the right moment.

Also Bless The Lord Oh My Soul by David Haas. A recycling of the sea chanty Shenandoah. I have the original as performed by The US Navy Choir as released for the Bicentennial on LP through Radio Shack.
 
Reverent_Howler said:
Also Bless The Lord Oh My Soul by David Haas. A recycling of the sea chanty Shenandoah. I have the original as performed by The US Navy Choir as released for the Bicentennial on LP through Radio Shack.
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It’s not hidden that it’s based on Shenandoah.
 
I just found that. Not bad. You can’t beat a good classic tune. The Celtic Song of Farewell (a funeral song) does the same thing.
 
Being a Lutheran of German descent the hymn is an important role of the divine service. Each season of the church year has some really good music and some clunkers. Jesus Christ is risen today is my favorite. Have no fear little flock is least favorite and thankfully is only pulled out on good Shepard Sunday.
 
Jesus Christ Is Risen Today is one of my favourites also. I was very disappointed when our choir opted not to sing it at the Vigil this year. It’s usually our recessional.
 
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