Just finished the book, Why Catholics can't Sing

[Darryl_B]

There was a part of the book where the author talked about ethnic songs being performed in American parishes such as, “When Irish Eyes are Smiling”, which have no theological place in the Liturgy. I’ve never witnessed this before, but yesterday I went to a traditionally German heritage parish and a piano player started playing, Edelweiss.
Anyway that is all. Just wanted to share. Maybe I should have been outraged but I started laughing. It was technically before the mass started or before the priest’s entrance- but still I thought it was still an odd choice for those of us sitting there before mass began.

Catholics had the best musicians in the past. Lutheran had Bach Senior JS sure though not a certain CS Bach his son. There was Beethoven, Mozart, Haydn very big long list even including Edward Elgar (Pomp and Circumstance, Land of Hope and Glory fame).

After that the trail goes cold.

 

[amsjj]

I’ve been fortunate overall. I’ve heard some bad songs from the Glory and Praise book but the Mass I attend doesn’t use it.

The absolute worse thing I’ve ever experienced was When You Wish Upon a Star. Oh dear heaven, I wanted to smash the piano. Disney should never be used in church! I was stunned.

 

[Catherinabird]

I believe that ‘group singing’ is no longer part of Anglophone culture.

People prefer to listen to a soloist or choir sing (any maybe read and think about the words).

Music is an important ‘commodity’ in our society. Many people get a lot of meaning and inspiration out of it. But this is not ‘sing along hymn’ type music.

Often, we when we have a great solo singer at our Church, people will just listen (even though they know the hymn, and have the words). ‘Sings-alongs’ hymns make sense in some cultures (like German, in certain centuries gone by). But for people in modern Anglophone cultures, few things could be less pleasant and less edifying.

Hmmm, and yet there are many other denominations where singing hymns and other Christian music is very very well received and very incorporated. People sing loudly and joyfully. Methodist’s supposedly have a reputation for loving their hymns (and the entire congragation sings every single verse no matter how many). Speaking strictly of Catholic churches, I’ve been to Parishes where everyone sings happily out, and others where I questioned if people were even awake. My point being not everyone thinks it is unpleasant.

 

[psalm90]

I’ve been fortunate overall. I’ve heard some bad songs from the Glory and Praise book but the Mass I attend doesn’t use it.

The absolute worse thing I’ve ever experienced was When You Wish Upon a Star. Oh dear heaven, I wanted to smash the piano. Disney should never be used in church! I was stunned.

That would be rather idolatrous, anyway, wouldn’t it? not to mention commercial.

Reminds me of the joke about the executive who went to see the pope and wanted to bribe him to change all the Dominus Vobiscums to “Drink Coca-Cola.”

 

[Catherinabird]

Reminds me of Rutter’s Fecit Potentiam: Fecit potentiam in brachio suo.

Everyone wants to say “in broccoli soup”. Or maybe it’s just me.