Hymns & Lyrics

[Tantum_ergo]

Cat–As I another musician I emphasize with you to an extent. But when I’m playing I find I am really not noticing whether people are standing with lips closed staring “stonily” ahead, because I’m too busy concentrating on either playing, or singing, my best for God, or if I’m directing a choir keeping track of directing the choir, and if my eyes do wander out or down (depending where we’re singing/playing), I’m usually not checking out others. Then again, I’m ferociously short-sighted which is a great blessing.

Also, yesterday after singing the first two hymns, my voice was beginning to crack a bit so for the third hymn I ‘gave it a rest’. Now if you’d happened to look over at me and seen me, you might (judging by your post) have thought that I was all of those ‘mean’ things above, when I was simply husbanding my voice; I did not know that third hymn so well anyway but I certainly did not dislike it!

I guess what I’m meaning to say is that, if we shouldn’t be judging people’s hearts by what they wear to church, if we shouldn’t be judging people’s hearts by whether they are hugging us or simply nodding ‘peace’ at the sign of peace, if we shouldn’t be judging people’s hearts by how they ‘appear’ to us. . .

we certainly should not be judging them by whether they are standing with lips closed and eyes straight ahead during a song.

Some people just don’t sing–after 40 years in music ministry in Catholic churches in several states I know this to be a fact!

Not because they might not ‘like’ the hymn but for many, many reasons.

I’d like to say how grateful we are for your service in music–heaven knows it is both joyful and frustrating at times–but please be careful not to read something into appearances that:
a. Might not be there at all.
b. Even if it happened to be there once might not ever be there again for that person.
c. Might be for a very good reason (sore throat).
d. Even if it was continuous and mean-spirited is between that person and God, not that person and you.

God bless.

 

[buchay]

Dear Friends,
Hi! I’m from the Philippines. I’m also interested with the Liturgy of the Hours, most especially with the hymns. I really want to learn the hymns that are included in the Catholic Liturgy of the Hours. I tried our local contacts but to no avail. I hope that you know of contacts who has tapes or cds containing the hymns. Thank you for your help.

 

[mccannr]

David Haas and Jeanne Cotter are perhaps one of the most prolific Roman Catholic Song Writers. Marty Haugen is a Lutheran, but he also writes many beautiful hyms for all Churches. The use of flowery language by no mans diminsihes the respect that either of these composers have for our Blessed Saviour, Blessed Sacrament, Our Holy Virgin and Blessed Mother Mary in addition to other traditions and beliefs. Let us agree on what we share and not difer.
One who attests to the beliefs of Rome and can respect others beliefs.
Richard P. McCann
“Crescit Sub Pondere Virtus”

 

[Victorious]

David Haas and Jeanne Cotter are perhaps one of the most prolific Roman Catholic Song Writers.

Yeah…unfortunate.

Marty Haugen is a Lutheran, but he also writes many beautiful hyms for all Churches. The use of flowery language by no mans diminsihes the respect that either of these composers have for our Blessed Saviour, Blessed Sacrament, Our Holy Virgin and Blessed Mother Mary in addition to other traditions and beliefs.

That is not the same as understanding Catholic doctrine and holding it oneself. Besides, we already have an incredible body of traditional and very beautiful liturgical music that has been gathering dust for decades because we have been singing Marty Haugen and David Haas instead. That’s like preferring a baloney sandwich to a Thanksgiving feast.

Let us agree on what we share and not difer.
One who attests to the beliefs of Rome and can respect others beliefs.

No, I’m afraid we cannot grant to other beliefs the respect that is due to the teachings of the Catholic Church. It is one thing to respect the sincerity of those who grew up in other traditions, but quite something else again to respect those traditions, to the extent they are inconsistent with Truth. Nothing that is incompatible with the Truth is worthy of anything other than rejection.