Hymns & Lyrics

[Ace86]

Jesus DOES NOT become our bread!!! The bread becomes Him.

Exactly.

 

[mrsfrazier]

Do you see the ambiguity?

I guess maybe since I have taken several English exposition classes (where you learn meaning implicit in words without it being stated explicitly) I’m able to see the meaning behind the lyrics without having to have it spelled out to me. So, no, the song is not ambiguous to me at all. When I sing about light, I know that it is about Jesus the Light of the World. When I sing about the different descriptions of “us” in the song, I know it is an expression of humility before God and as a desire to live as a Christian community, which we are commanded to do. It is not an attempt to focus on “us” without reference to God. God is the frame for all those statements. The Mass has different parts–coming together as God’s people, listening to his word, a time of offering and petition, and the Eucharist. Different songs work at different parts. This song is not appropriate for the Eucharist, but is appropriate perhaps as an offering or intorductory/coming together song.

see this link: nccbuscc.org/liturgy/current/chapter2.shtml#sect3a (sorry not sure how post an actual link, but this is the site…)

A. THE INTRODUCTORY RITES
The rites preceding the Liturgy of the Word, namely the Entrance, Greeting, Act of Penitence, Kyrie, Gloria, and Collect, have the character of a beginning, introduction, and preparation.
Their purpose is to ensure that the faithful who come together as one establish communion and dispose themselves to listen properly to God’s word and to celebrate the Eucharist worthily.

If it’s not in your taste to like the song, that’s fine. We are all allowed to have different tastes, that is why some musical variety is good. But I think it is a good hymn to open the Mass…

As to saying that most Catholics have a bad understanding of the sacraments and so need very simple songs that spell everything out with no creativity (not creative license–they are two different things) or imagery–what’s the point of having music then? We may as well just recite the lyrics instead of sing them. The Bible itself uses a lot of imagery and metaphors, so there shouldn’t be a problem with using imagery and metaphors in hymns as well.

 

[mrsfrazier]

The worst part is I have to sing this lousy song since I cantor, but I don’t pick the music or songs since the guitarist does that.

Oh no, the music should be either rotating so you all get a chance to choose, or it should be a joint decision…Why does the guitarist get to choose?

 

[paramedicgirl]

What an odd Choice to sing at Mass. Why?

How about “Put your hand in the hand of the man from Galilee.”
It’s not even a church hymn. It’s a song from the 70’s that was recorded for radio play!

Our choir sung that on the Feast of the Sacred Heart, our parish patron, instead of singing the traditional Sacred Heart songs they used to sing every year on that day.

 

[Ace86]

I guess maybe since I have taken several English exposition classes (where you learn meaning implicit in words without it being stated explicitly) I’m able to see the meaning behind the lyrics without having to have it spelled out to me. So, no, the song is not ambiguous to me at all. When I sing about light, I know that it is about Jesus the Light of the World. When I sing about the different descriptions of “us” in the song, I know it is an expression of humility before God and as a desire to live as a Christian community, which we are commanded to do. It is not an attempt to focus on “us” without reference to God. God is the frame for all those statements. The Mass has different parts–coming together as God’s people, listening to his word, a time of offering and petition, and the Eucharist. Different songs work at different parts. This song is not appropriate for the Eucharist, but is appropriate perhaps as an offering or intorductory/coming together song.

Well I don’t claim to know what the composer intended, and I’m not sure why you would. But simply going to Mass is not enough. We need to ask ourselves why we are going to Mass. We’re not just going to be a community (which is fine and dandy), but rather we are going as a community to praise and adore God. And this song just doesn’t say any of that.

If it’s not in your taste to like the song, that’s fine. We are all allowed to have different tastes, that is why some musical variety is good. But I think it is a good hymn to open the Mass…

Well I disagree that it’s a “good” song for Church. It doesn’t even mention God. Think about it, that song could be used for any pagan religion. Musical variety is allowed to some extent, as long as Gregorian chant is given pride of place…but that’s another story.

As to saying that most Catholics have a bad understanding of the sacraments and so need very simple songs that spell everything out with no creativity (not creative license–they are two different things) or imagery–what’s the point of having music then? We may as well just recite the lyrics instead of sing them. The Bible itself uses a lot of imagery and metaphors, so there shouldn’t be a problem with using imagery and metaphors in hymns as well.

I’m not asking for simple songs. See my post above about “Now We Remain”. I’d rather hear an entrance chant, or Gregorian chant.

 

[mrsfrazier]

We’re not just going to be a community (which is fine and dandy), but rather we are going as a community to praise and adore God. And this song just doesn’t say any of that.

I disagree; the song to me seems to be calling for a God-focused community, and for faith in action, which is maybe why it would make a better opening or closing hymn than a Communion hymn.

It doesn’t even mention God. Think about it, that song could be used for any pagan religion. Musical variety is allowed to some extent, as long as Gregorian chant is given pride of place…but that’s another story.

The focus on God (the Christian God) is implicit in all the lyrics, there are many Biblical references as well. I really can’t see it being used for any pagan religion for those reasons.

On the other hand, I agree some more traditional music would be nice, as would Gregrorian chant. But I feel happy when the cantor doesn’t make me want to plug my ears because they are so off-key, so I doubt I will be experiencing Gregorian chant anytime soon Where can you attend a Mass that has Gregorian chant?

I’m not asking for simple songs. See my post above about “Now We Remain”. I’d rather hear an entrance chant, or Gregorian chant.

Better yet, I’d rather be able to participate in the entrance song, instead of just listening.

I agree with the sentiment behind your previous post, but I just don’t agree that the “Gather us in” lyrics contribute to a breakdown in the belief of the Real Presence. (I can think of other songs that do, though )

 

[Ace86]

well mrsfrazier,

That’s fine. We have a disagreement, and we can leave it at that. I’m not going to argue with anyone. I’ve made my points, and I’ll simply let the Church decide (one day hopefully!)

 

[Trident59]

Well I never thought I’d see the day when I agreed with JKirk, Post #10.

You got it 100% right . As my daughter would say back in 1980, Gag me with a back hoe, man.

 

[pnewton]

My wife can’t stand “Gather Us In”. I don’t care for it, too much myself. I don’t hate it as much as others, but not all hymns can be as inspiring as “Amazing Grace.”

(baits and runs)

 

[prv]

Gather us in, the rich and the famous,
gather us in, the poor and obscure,
gather us in, the slightly eccentric
and all the late-comers out there by the door.

Gather us in, the hairy and balding,
gather us in, the skinny and fat,
gather us in, the chic and and frumpy
and anyone wearing a big flowered hat.

Gather us in, the handsome and homely,
gather us in, from near and from far,
and don’t forget the man in the Buick
who dropped off his wife and is parking the car.

Gather us in, the Packers and Bears fans
gather us in, who do not like sports,
gather us in from every direction
but keep out the flip-flops and tank tops and shorts.

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=68456
How 'bout this version. (see above link)

LOL!

 

[THutch04]

Here’s the number one song I dislike (thank goodness I don’t hear it that often).

We Come to Your Feast
Michael Joncas

We place upon your table
A gleaming cloth of white
The weaving of our stories
The fabric of our lives
The dreams of those before us
The ancient hopes and cries
The promise of our future
Our needing and our nurture
Lie here before our eyes

We come to your feast
We come to your feast
The young and the old
The frightened the bold
The greatest and the least
We come to your feast
We come to your feast
With the fruit of our lands and the work of our hands
We come to your feast

We place upon your table
A humble loaf of bread
The gift of field and hillside
The grain which we’re fed
We come to taste the presence
Of him on whom we feed
To strengthen and connect us
To challenge and correct us
To love in word and deed
(Chorus)

We place upon your table
A simple cup of wine
The fruit of human labor
The gift of sun and vine
We come to taste the presence
We claim him as the Lord.
His dying and his living
His leading and his giving
His love in cup outpoured
(Chorus)

We gather 'round your table
We pause within our quest
We stand beside our neighbors
We name the stranger guest
The feast is spread before us
You bid us come and dine
In blessing we’ll uncover
In sharing we’ll discover
Your substance and your sign
(Chorus)

After I hear the verse talking about the “fabric of our lives” the only thing I can think of is that Downy commercial.

 

[SeekerJen]

Our children’s choir sings, “One Bread, One Body”.
I like it when my girls are singing it.

I love that hymn. Always have.

I’m not a fan of “Gather Us In”. I cannot stand “We Come To Your Feast.” I always dread seeing that on the song list.

wjp984: I feel your pain. I’m also a cantor. Our music director usually has excellent taste, but once in a while he’s overruled by our pastor, who is very devout Catholic but who is very much from the “Kum-bah-yah” school of liturgical music. Thus, we occasionally suffer through “Song of the Body of Christ” or “I Say Yes, Lord”.

 

[bluerose]

Our music director usually has excellent taste, but once in a while he’s overruled by our pastor, who is very devout Catholic but who is very much from the “Kum-bah-yah” school of liturgical music. Thus, we occasionally suffer through “Song of the Body of Christ” or “I Say Yes, Lord”.

sigh I miss the old days (I’m almost 40) when our music director (a nun in short skirts and permed hair) used to pick such inspiring songs, such as “If I Had A Hammer”, “The Rose”, “Do You Know (Theme from Mahogany)” and “Stairway to Heaven”.

All right, all right, it was a JOKE! Put the sticks down! Drop them, I say! Back! Back!

 

[bluerose]

Just to clarify: it was a joke that I miss the good ol’ days… Sister actually DID choose those songs at one time or another.

 

[LilyM]

sigh I miss the old days (I’m almost 40) when our music director (a nun in short skirts and permed hair) used to pick such inspiring songs, such as “If I Had A Hammer”, “The Rose”, “Do You Know (Theme from Mahogany)” and “Stairway to Heaven”.

All right, all right, it was a JOKE! Put the sticks down! Drop them, I say! Back! Back!

Stairway to Heaven is probably both more appropriate and more inspiring for Mass than some of the dross I hear. Bring it on, I say

 

[Unfinished]

Uh oh. There’s another good one.

I’m a modernist. God help me.

I know the feeling.

Gift of Finest Wheat
Here I am, Lord
Christ, Be our Light

I could go on. I have grown to love quite a few of the songs sung at Mass…although my favorites are rarely sung.

Just ONCE I would love to hear “Sing of Mary” or “Hail Holy Queen” at Mass. (Well, we sang Hail Holy Queen at the end of Latin Mass last weekend…but I suppose I meant Novus Ordo)

And something I hope to never hear at Mass, but it is in my hymn book and I like the song…

Battle Hymn of the Republic

 

[Dr.Bombay]

Pax vobiscum!

I have contacted Fr. Amorth in Rome to come take a look at Dr. Bombay. Who would have ever thought we’d see the day that Dr. Bombay would admit to liking modern songs? I think I know what’s next: LifeTeen Masses and charismatic followship meetings!

In Christ,
Rand

Oh, and I forgot to mention. Every true aficionado knows that Though the Mountains May Fall is best accompanied by guitar.

Just thought I’d throw that out there. :tiphat:

 

[LilyM]

Oh, and I forgot to mention. Every true aficionado knows that Though the Mountains May Fall is best accompanied by guitar.

Just thought I’d throw that out there. :tiphat:

Acoustic or electric? Personally the thought of having either at Mass tends to produce an instinctive upchuck reflex in me.

 

[Dr.Bombay]

Acoustic or electric? Personally the thought of having either at Mass tends to produce an instinctive upchuck reflex in me.

Acoustic, of course.

You’ve obviously never been blessed by hearing *Though the Mountains May Fall *at Holy Mass accompanied by guitar. It’s sublime.

 

[THutch04]

And something I hope to never hear at Mass, but it is in my hymn book and I like the song…

Battle Hymn of the Republic

It’s probably the politically correct version though…although I do love that song!!!