Gather Us In hymn

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I actually like this hymn but I’ve seen and read that many people despise it. If you do hate it why? Genuinely curious.
 
I guess you could say that I’m one of the ‘haters’ :grinning_face_with_smiling_eyes:. Personally, I’ve always found it to be trite and shallow. Also, people joke that the melody sounds similar to “Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,” which is actually pretty accurate.
 
I just don’t like the lyrics.
He is right the two do sound similar.


 
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I once heard a nun on EWTN–not Mother Angelica–disparage the tune during a most lucid presentation. It is a most uninspiring piece.
 
Too much 1970s clouds and rainbows. Doesn’t really make me feel like I’m in the presence of Holy God.

Also if it’s written by Marty Haugen, I’m just not a fan of his work. It’s usually too hippy dippy.
 
Many people haven’t heard Gordon Lightfoot or his songs. Why should they care how much the melodies sound alike? Heck I find a lot of popular songs that sound like something else. So what? Can’t we judge a piece of music/lyrics on their own merits, presuming of course there are no copyright infringements?
 
The Kingdom of Heaven dwelling within, is here and now, not is some place light years away.

Jesus taught such, so I don’t have a problem with the hymn

Jim
 
I don’t like the melody. If I did, it would be ok for my playlist in the car. Not for Mass though. It doesn’t lift my mind to God or aid in prayer in any way, shape or form. It’s people centric and not God centric. And the melody is too upbeat to tune it out.
 
Bishop Robert Barron talks about not liking the lyrics at "The Mass" - Episode 1: A Privileged Encounter - YouTube (This is in “The Mass” - Episode 1: A Privileged Encounter” at 20:43.) It is the fourth verse lyrics he mentions. In Australia the song was included in the 2016 Catholic Worship Book II, but without the fourth verse, beginning “Not in the dark of buildings …” . Archbishop Denis Hart wrote in the forward “ Catholic Worship Book II is approved and endorsed by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference. It is the official liturgical music resource for the Catholic Church in Australia.”
 
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I also hear this song way too much so I’m sick of it.
 
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Off topic I know, but the two that sound alike to me that stand out are:


and

 
I agree. But sometimes in these 1970s songs the wording seems forced as if they just couldn’t think up any good lyrics.
 
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