"Here I am, waiting like a lover"

[JPUSC]

What do you think about the use of Tom Booth’s “Here I Am” in the Catholic Mass?

I have never liked the phrase, “Here I am, waiting like a lover.” We have an image of God as a Father and God the Son as a Brother. Christ is the Bridegroom of the Church. Women in consecrated life are brides of Christ.

This song was written recently, and in a modern context, the word “lover” commonly alludes to a romantic and/or sexual relationship.

You can find the complete lyrics here: spiritandsong.com/musicondemand/songs/16163

I mean, the song, in terms of melody, isn’t awfully bad…but what are some opinions of this specific phrase?

 

[The_Smiter]

What do you think about the use of Tom Booth’s “Here I Am” in the Catholic Mass?

I have never liked the phrase, “Here I am, waiting like a lover.” We have an image of God as a Father and God the Son as a Brother. Christ is the Bridegroom of the Church. Women in consecrated life are brides of Christ.

This song was written recently, and in a modern context, the word “lover” commonly alludes to a romantic and/or sexual relationship.

You can find the complete lyrics here: spiritandsong.com/musicondemand/songs/16163

I mean, the song, in terms of melody, isn’t awfully bad…but what are some opinions of this specific phrase?

I would play it in my car and at home. But for the Liturgy - it is garbage.

 

[Cluny]

This is a metaphor as old as the Bible itself.

The Song of Solomon is an allegory about the relationship of Christ and the Soul in terms of lovers and romance.

 

[JKirkLVNV]

This is a metaphor as old as the Bible itself.

The Song of Solomon is an allegory about the relationship of Christ and the Soul in terms of lovers and romance.

I was going to say…and St. John of the Cross’ poetry portrayed the relationship of Christ to the soul in about the same manner.

I think the song is fine for Mass, though it is by no means my favorite.

 

[The_Smiter]

This is a metaphor as old as the Bible itself.

The Song of Solomon is an allegory about the relationship of Christ and the Soul in terms of lovers and romance.

I agree. My post was not denigrating the lyrics, but rather the style and placement during Mass. Where does it go? And the problem with music like this is that not everyone can sing it. How can people join in if they are discouraged by the sophistication of a particular song? That is why we have the hymns and songs of old. They are written in such a way that people can sing them - people who do not come to practice twice a week and are not professionally trained.

Mass is not a performance for people who style themselves Christian?Catholci troubadors.

Boy - when did I turn into a curmudgeon!?

 

[JKirkLVNV]

That is why we have the hymns and songs of old. They are written in such a way that people can sing them - people who do not come to practice twice a week and are not professionally trained.

Very measured, no time changes, a definite rythmn…and free from heresy or near-heresy!

 

[Deacon_Ed]

When I have scheduled this piece at Mass it’s always as a communion song. The idea of Christ waiting for us “as a lover” (in the Eastern tradition God is referred to as “the lover of mankind”) is quite consistent with the participation in the divine life that is implicit in the reception of Holy Communion.

Deacon Ed

 

[LilyM]

When I have scheduled this piece at Mass it’s always as a communion song. The idea of Christ waiting for us “as a lover” (in the Eastern tradition God is referred to as “the lover of mankind”) is quite consistent with the participation in the divine life that is implicit in the reception of Holy Communion.

Deacon Ed

I think it sounds like a beautiful Communion song. Aren’t we taught that the marital embrace mirrors the complete self-giving between God and the soul in Communion?

 

[forever_always]

What do you think about the use of Tom Booth’s “Here I Am” in the Catholic Mass?

I have never liked the phrase, “Here I am, waiting like a lover.” We have an image of God as a Father and God the Son as a Brother. Christ is the Bridegroom of the Church. Women in consecrated life are brides of Christ.

This song was written recently, and in a modern context, the word “lover” commonly alludes to a romantic and/or sexual relationship.

You can find the complete lyrics here: spiritandsong.com/musicondemand/songs/16163

I mean, the song, in terms of melody, isn’t awfully bad…but what are some opinions of this specific phrase?

they played that song during mass last sunday… i think it was a nice melody, but the “waiting like a lover” seemed a little out of place… and some young teens behind us started giggling. >.>

 

[Cluny]

My post was not denigrating the lyrics, but rather the style and placement during Mass. Where does it go? And the problem with music like this is that not everyone can sing it.

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Since I’ve not heard it, I can’t say anything about it.

 

[agapewolf]

My post was not denigrating the lyrics, but rather the style and placement during Mass. Where does it go? And the problem with music like this is that not everyone can sing it.

---

Since I’ve not heard it, I can’t say anything about it.

It’s beautiful for preparation of the gifts or communion.

it’s a lullaby. Perfect placement, and yes, everyone can sing it. They do at my church…very well.

 

[Gottle_of_Geer]

What do you think about the use of Tom Booth’s “Here I Am” in the Catholic Mass?

I have never liked the phrase, “Here I am, waiting like a lover.” We have an image of God as a Father and God the Son as a Brother. Christ is the Bridegroom of the Church. Women in consecrated life are brides of Christ.

This song was written recently, and in a modern context, the word “lover” commonly alludes to a romantic and/or sexual relationship.

Yes, if we let it - but why should we ? “This Tremendous Lover” is an excellent title for a book on God’s Love written (IIRC) about 70 years ago - it describes the contents briefly, tellingly, memorably, and, above all, evocatively. To drop the word is to impoverish our capacity for saying what Christ came to do - it’s bad enough that the word is - quite mistakenly - though by some (even by some Christians) to be weak, unmanly, or effete, when the fact is that nothing could possibly be stronger, more bracing, more dangerous, more creative & life-giving, or less limited; so to avoid the use of it would be anything but wise.​

You can find the complete lyrics here: spiritandsong.com/musicondemand/songs/16163

I mean, the song, in terms of melody, isn’t awfully bad…but what are some opinions of this specific phrase?

It makes God seem passive, which He is not.​

 

[Eucharisted]

The Mass is prayer, so if the music isn’t prayer, it’s not right for the Mass.

I prefer the song Here I Am, Lord better.

 

[Beautiful]

What do you think about the use of Tom Booth’s “Here I Am” in the Catholic Mass?

I have never liked the phrase, “Here I am, waiting like a lover.”

I don’t like the phrase “Here I am, waiting like a lover.”
It should say “Here I Am, your Lover.”

 

[passus]

I never really cared for this song. I find the melody extremely repetitive and annoying.

This particular song was addressed in an article from the November 2008 issue of This Rock on bad liturgical music. It’s frank, but I think it’s pretty funny!

From Bad Poetry, Bad Theology by Anthony Esolen
Then it is the Boyfriend Jesus they want, the carpenter’s son who has shoulders broad enough to keep the toughs away, but who is also tender enough to make a girl feel really appreciated:

Here I am, standing right beside you.
Here I am; do not be afraid.
Here I am, waiting like a lover.
I am here, here I am . . .
I am here in every warm embrace.
I am here with tenderness and mercy . . .
I am here when pardoning your brother.
Here I am, I am here. (“Here I Am”) The dangling gerund “pardoning” gives the game away. Who is pardoning your brother? It is both God and “you”—or either, or does it make a grammatical or theological difference? I am, you are . . . what’s a little pronoun and a copula, between lovers?

This is not the bridal imagery of God and Israel used in the Song of Songs and Hosea, and not the extension of that imagery to refer to Christ as Bridegroom of the Church. It is the language of ancient mystery cult, of the moon goddess Diana gazing upon the sleek limbs of the lad Endymion sleeping on the hillside. But that shift reflects the strange singing of God’s part by the congregation, and the attribution of man’s words to God: “Here I am,” said Samuel to the Lord, but “Here I am,” says the Lord to the timid beloved, like a Boy Scout of the pagans, always prepared.
​

 

[roselily]

What do you think about the use of Tom Booth’s “Here I Am” in the Catholic Mass?

I have never liked the phrase, “Here I am, waiting like a lover.” We have an image of God as a Father and God the Son as a Brother. Christ is the Bridegroom of the Church. Women in consecrated life are brides of Christ.

This song was written recently, and in a modern context, the word “lover” commonly alludes to a romantic and/or sexual relationship.

You can find the complete lyrics here: spiritandsong.com/musicondemand/songs/16163

I mean, the song, in terms of melody, isn’t awfully bad…but what are some opinions of this specific phrase?

Why, JPUSC? Don’t you like it?
…I think it’s so beautiful!
Thank You, Lord, that You are always with me.
Help me to remember that at all times, especially when I feel lonely.

" And remember , I am with you always, to the end of the age." - Matthew 28:20

 

[Lujack]

I never really cared for this song. I find the melody extremely repetitive and annoying.

This particular song was addressed in an article from the November 2008 issue of This Rock on bad liturgical music. It’s frank, but I think it’s pretty funny!

From Bad Poetry, Bad Theology by Anthony Esolen
Then it is the Boyfriend Jesus they want, the carpenter’s son who has shoulders broad enough to keep the toughs away, but who is also tender enough to make a girl feel really appreciated:

Here I am, standing right beside you.
Here I am; do not be afraid.
Here I am, waiting like a lover.
I am here, here I am . . .
I am here in every warm embrace.
I am here with tenderness and mercy . . .
I am here when pardoning your brother.
Here I am, I am here. (“Here I Am”) The dangling gerund “pardoning” gives the game away. Who is pardoning your brother? It is both God and “you”—or either, or does it make a grammatical or theological difference? I am, you are . . . what’s a little pronoun and a copula, between lovers?

This is not the bridal imagery of God and Israel used in the Song of Songs and Hosea, and not the extension of that imagery to refer to Christ as Bridegroom of the Church. It is the language of ancient mystery cult, of the moon goddess Diana gazing upon the sleek limbs of the lad Endymion sleeping on the hillside. But that shift reflects the strange singing of God’s part by the congregation, and the attribution of man’s words to God: “Here I am,” said Samuel to the Lord, but “Here I am,” says the Lord to the timid beloved, like a Boy Scout of the pagans, always prepared.
​

That seems like an odd interpretation of the song. It seems pretty clear the subject is God, not us. I’ve heard certain songs dubbed horizontal, but I can’t see that one.

 

[The_Smiter]

Very measured, no time changes, a definite rythmn…and free from heresy or near-heresy!

For you maybe. But not the olderpeople who sit next to me at Mass. This type of song is disrespectful because it is a performance for the choir/praise band/song stylist who is singing it at Mass. You might have a different opinion, but it is a popular piece. It is not Sacred Music that is in the tradition of the Church.’'this is why I stated I would listen to it in my car, but not at Mass. It is also a very “Me” oriented song which reveals its Protestant flair. Th Catholic Church is a “We” Church.

 

[The_Smiter]

When I have scheduled this piece at Mass it’s always as a communion song. The idea of Christ waiting for us “as a lover” (in the Eastern tradition God is referred to as “the lover of mankind”) is quite consistent with the participation in the divine life that is implicit in the reception of Holy Communion.

Deacon Ed

Understood and True, Deacon. However, the popular connotation must be taken into consideration when using this piece for Mass. There are visitors at Mass - both Catholic and non-Catholic who wouyld raise an eyebrow at the lyric. Most regular attenders would I assume as well for the fact that many are just not well-catechized with respect to scripture.

And again, my position - whether anyone agrees or not - is that it is not a song that is appropriate for Mass at any point.

 

[The_Smiter]

I don’t like the phrase “Here I am, waiting like a lover.”
It should say “Here I Am, your Lover.”

No it should not. Christ is not our lover - he waits as a lover would - just like the many other comparisons and analogies tht scripoture uses to describe God and His many feelings toward us.