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Annunciata
Guest
Didn’t St. Augustine say,“When you sing you pray twice”?
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Edwin1961
Guest
Rivera wrote…" My attitude is that I sing as a gift to Jesus, not to myself, so whether I like the music or not I always try to sing my best."
Singing is so personal because it is our voice singing praise to God. What I don’t like is when other parishners stare at you when you DO sing, let alone sing and can’t carry a tune which they wish you were not sitting next to them. I actually sang in a contemporary group (when I was in the roman rite) and the music director would turn down my mic. I didn’t know it at the time, but I wanted to be up there to praise God. Sometimes it may not be the song itself that is bad, but the musical arrangement.
Go with God!
Edwin
Singing is so personal because it is our voice singing praise to God. What I don’t like is when other parishners stare at you when you DO sing, let alone sing and can’t carry a tune which they wish you were not sitting next to them. I actually sang in a contemporary group (when I was in the roman rite) and the music director would turn down my mic. I didn’t know it at the time, but I wanted to be up there to praise God. Sometimes it may not be the song itself that is bad, but the musical arrangement.
Go with God!
Edwin
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Disillusioned
Guest
This specifically to reply on the thing about Kumbayah.There’s a commonplace about it that it was out of date even when they included it in modern rites.As well as that it is actually deceptive and patronising.I don’t think singing pidgin English which probably doesn’t exist increases the esteem of either believers born in Africa or for that matter Afro-Americans. That refrain is an irritating mystery, the song appears to have been cobbled , a true fabrication.
There might be more to this but I first learned about the fact that it might be faked from a priest who had spent most of his life in Kenya through the Fifties and Sixties.
Now The Addams family film satirises the youth summer camp…there is a band of perfect sunny children strumming their guitars who clash with the bad little Wednesday and Pugsy…Yes they sing Kumbayah.
We should not confuse this oddity with the Creole Masses that come from South America and the Caribbean,These have been used to great effect in some striking religious motion pictures.
Correct me if I’m wrong “Kumbayah” is "Come by here "-Well it does sound like a patois…
They’ll sanction "No woman no cry "next.
P.s. Are people simply bad typists ? What i s the Charasmatic movement ? Did Our Lord undergo the Crucifixation? I vote for more literacy on the board.
There might be more to this but I first learned about the fact that it might be faked from a priest who had spent most of his life in Kenya through the Fifties and Sixties.
Now The Addams family film satirises the youth summer camp…there is a band of perfect sunny children strumming their guitars who clash with the bad little Wednesday and Pugsy…Yes they sing Kumbayah.
We should not confuse this oddity with the Creole Masses that come from South America and the Caribbean,These have been used to great effect in some striking religious motion pictures.
Correct me if I’m wrong “Kumbayah” is "Come by here "-Well it does sound like a patois…
They’ll sanction "No woman no cry "next.
P.s. Are people simply bad typists ? What i s the Charasmatic movement ? Did Our Lord undergo the Crucifixation? I vote for more literacy on the board.
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STJOMO
Guest
I guess I came of age just when song-and-dance liturgy was just coming into vogue. Most of the hyms of the last 30 years, I have little use for. Now that it has been pointed out how many references there are to us and so few to God in some of them, my opinion is so much the stronger.
In the very early 1970s, our eighth-grade teacher at the Catholic school I attended actually had us sing Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the Wind,” at mass, of course with some of the lyrics altered.
For example, this line has managed to carve out an unshakable posit in my memory:
“The answer, my friend, is living in all men;
The answer is living in all men. . .”
Heaven help us.
There were others, such as swiping songs from “Godspell” and “Superstar”, whose “I don’t know how to love him” was another staple.
I sometimes wonder how many of my classmates are even Catholic anymore.
A friend who happens to be very orthodox would giggle when I’d bring up the lyrics of “Allelu”.
“Allelu, Allellu, everybody sing Allelu;
For the Lord is risen, it is true;
Everybody sing Allelu.”
That was big in the '70s, when things started to fall apart, musically in the Churches I attended.
In the very early 1970s, our eighth-grade teacher at the Catholic school I attended actually had us sing Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the Wind,” at mass, of course with some of the lyrics altered.
For example, this line has managed to carve out an unshakable posit in my memory:
“The answer, my friend, is living in all men;
The answer is living in all men. . .”
Heaven help us.
There were others, such as swiping songs from “Godspell” and “Superstar”, whose “I don’t know how to love him” was another staple.
I sometimes wonder how many of my classmates are even Catholic anymore.
A friend who happens to be very orthodox would giggle when I’d bring up the lyrics of “Allelu”.
“Allelu, Allellu, everybody sing Allelu;
For the Lord is risen, it is true;
Everybody sing Allelu.”
That was big in the '70s, when things started to fall apart, musically in the Churches I attended.
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Dr.Colossus
Guest
Someone sang “I don’t know how to love him” for the communion “hymn” at a geetar Mass at a parish near me. I didn’t know where it was from, but it was awful. That was the last Mass I attended there.
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agick
Guest
Back in the '70s when I knew little about my Catholic faith, I was seduced by the ‘Jesus Freak’ movement like so many others and listened to my Jesus Christ Superstar album over and over. But even so, I could never accept that Mary Magdelan was sexually drawn to Christ as implied in the song “I don’t know how to love him,” etc. That album was finally thrown on the trash heap many years ago by me, Thank God.
Hmm, I was if Dan Brown is a ‘Jesus Freak’ who never grew up.
TonyG
Hmm, I was if Dan Brown is a ‘Jesus Freak’ who never grew up.
TonyG
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Disillusioned
Guest
You were right to forget Superstar in a religious context.The two of them made a lot of money out of a distortion.As well as Mary Magdalene and you rarely hear “How To Love Him” in church now, the Gethsemani thing has to be one of the worst versed nonsenses since Gilbert and Sullivan.Let it never go near a sanctuary.
Yvonne Elliman had to be told who she was supposed to be singing, it settled in her head that it was Jesus’ groupie lover whereas the tune began its life with utterly banal lyrics "I love a Kansas Morning "
Why that state I really don’t know.
These things are really all in the past tense.
Yvonne Elliman had to be told who she was supposed to be singing, it settled in her head that it was Jesus’ groupie lover whereas the tune began its life with utterly banal lyrics "I love a Kansas Morning "
Why that state I really don’t know.
These things are really all in the past tense.
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tcaseyrochester
Guest
Isn’t that from Proverbs??? I’ll have to go an look it up…Didn’t St. Augustine say,“When you sing you pray twice”?
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MooCowSteph
Guest
Sorry, guys, but Lord of the Dance is one of my favorites. I just love the celtic-like toon. I probably like it more for that than the lyrics. (Plus the head cantor at my church isn’t so good, so we tend to enjoy the songs that get EVERYBODY singing )
I’m also a big fan of the responsorial psalms sung during lent.
“We remember how you loved us to your death, and still we celebrate, for you are with us here; And we believe that we will see you when you come, in your glory, Lord, we remember, we celebrate, we believe.”
“Praise to you Lord Christ our Savior, Word of the Father, calling us to life, Son of God, who leads us to freedom. Glory to you Lord Jesus Christ.”
Short, but fun to sing!
)I’m also a big fan of the responsorial psalms sung during lent.
“We remember how you loved us to your death, and still we celebrate, for you are with us here; And we believe that we will see you when you come, in your glory, Lord, we remember, we celebrate, we believe.”
“Praise to you Lord Christ our Savior, Word of the Father, calling us to life, Son of God, who leads us to freedom. Glory to you Lord Jesus Christ.”
Short, but fun to sing!
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krazykatlady
Guest
My least favorites have to be “Let Us Build the City of God” and “Baptized in Water” sung to that Cat Stevens tune. Everytime I hear it my mind wanders from Mass and I think how Cat Stevens, a convert to Islam, praised the ayatollah Kohmeni for putting a price on Salmon Rushdie’s head.
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Peace-bwu
Guest
The first time I heard “Lord of the Dance” it just made me want to laugh, it makes God sound like the Pied Piper and a little goofy! It’s a fun, cute song for outside the Mass- for kids, interesting to think of God dancing for joy. :dancing:
I never liked the line “Saved a Wrech like me” in Amazing Grace, because of the whole “once- saved, salvation never lost theology” even when I was a child, and knew nothing about theology, this line bothered me, but I still think it’s a beautiful song, whether it is appropriate for Mass is questionable.
I don’t mind singing traditionally protestant songs as long as they are theologically sound with Catholic teaching.
I have to agree with the person who mentioned “Long have I waited for you coming home to me and living deeply our new life” I can never figure it out, it sounds so romantic
On a funny note, I was the oldest of 4 kids, growing up in the 80’s. The youngest three thought the words to “Sing Hosanna” were “sing lasagna” so I can’t hear that song without remembering them all bounding through the house joyfully chanting “sing lasagna” after Mass.
The absolute worst song I have heard during Mass was at my cousin’s Catholic wedding. Let me first mention that she was 5 months pregnant, anyway, they changed the words to the secular song “I wanna climb with you on the mountain, I wanna swim with you in the sea, I wanna lay like this forever,until the…”
They substituted the last line to “I wanna pray with you forever, until the sun falls down on me.” Now that was an example of inappropriate song choice. I am guessing the people in charge didn’t know the origional song and assumed the changed version was a contemporary Christian song.
Wow, I loved "gather us in "but when I read the critiques, I am rethinking it!
I think my all time favorite is “Here I Am Lord” because it reminds me of how I prayed as a child. I think its a little odd that we are singing God’s part in first person, though.
I also like “One Bread, One Body” because I am reminded of the Communion of Saints when I hear it. One question though:
Why does it say “One cup of blessing which** we** bless.” Maybe I am reading too much into it, but doesn’t the priest bless/ consecrate the bread and wine? “We” don’t bless it do we? Am I off on this?
I never liked the line “Saved a Wrech like me” in Amazing Grace, because of the whole “once- saved, salvation never lost theology” even when I was a child, and knew nothing about theology, this line bothered me, but I still think it’s a beautiful song, whether it is appropriate for Mass is questionable.
I don’t mind singing traditionally protestant songs as long as they are theologically sound with Catholic teaching.
I have to agree with the person who mentioned “Long have I waited for you coming home to me and living deeply our new life” I can never figure it out, it sounds so romantic
On a funny note, I was the oldest of 4 kids, growing up in the 80’s. The youngest three thought the words to “Sing Hosanna” were “sing lasagna” so I can’t hear that song without remembering them all bounding through the house joyfully chanting “sing lasagna” after Mass.
The absolute worst song I have heard during Mass was at my cousin’s Catholic wedding. Let me first mention that she was 5 months pregnant, anyway, they changed the words to the secular song “I wanna climb with you on the mountain, I wanna swim with you in the sea, I wanna lay like this forever,until the…”
They substituted the last line to “I wanna pray with you forever, until the sun falls down on me.” Now that was an example of inappropriate song choice. I am guessing the people in charge didn’t know the origional song and assumed the changed version was a contemporary Christian song.Wow, I loved "gather us in "but when I read the critiques, I am rethinking it!
I think my all time favorite is “Here I Am Lord” because it reminds me of how I prayed as a child. I think its a little odd that we are singing God’s part in first person, though.
I also like “One Bread, One Body” because I am reminded of the Communion of Saints when I hear it. One question though:
Why does it say “One cup of blessing which** we** bless.” Maybe I am reading too much into it, but doesn’t the priest bless/ consecrate the bread and wine? “We” don’t bless it do we? Am I off on this?
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Dr.Colossus
Guest
Don’t worry too much about the verse. It’s a direct quote from Paul:
:bible1: “The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?” I Corinthians 10:16
In addition, the priest consecrates the Host, but we all bless God. :bible1: “I will bless the LORD at all times; praise shall be always in my mouth.” Psalms 34:2
:bible1: “The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?” I Corinthians 10:16
In addition, the priest consecrates the Host, but we all bless God. :bible1: “I will bless the LORD at all times; praise shall be always in my mouth.” Psalms 34:2
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Dave3383
Guest
I agree with those who listed “Gather Us In” and “Lord of the Dance.” The first has too much “we” and “us” in it; the second is entirely too childish.
Let me add another to the list: “Let There Be Peace On Earth.” This one sounds more like a Bradway show-tune than a hymn. I find it a bit nauseating.
Let me add another to the list: “Let There Be Peace On Earth.” This one sounds more like a Bradway show-tune than a hymn. I find it a bit nauseating.
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Laura_B
Guest
This is my very first post at these fora but I had to weigh in on this one: I really dislike “Lord of the Dance”, partially because of some of the lyrics, including “it’s hard to dance with the devil on your back” etc. that someone mentioned earlier.
The other reason is that I am a fan of Celtic-type music and dance and I get this vision in my head of Our Lord and the Apostles doing Irish step-dancing (remember that one bit in Shrek when Robin Hood and his Merry Men do the same thing?)
Someone else mentioned disliking David Haas. I for one really, really like his version of the Magnificat, also known as Canticle of Mary and as “And Holy is Your Name”. It too is done to a Celtic folk melody called Wild Mountain Thyme. Does anyone know where I can find a recording of this, with vocals? Thanks.
The other reason is that I am a fan of Celtic-type music and dance and I get this vision in my head of Our Lord and the Apostles doing Irish step-dancing (remember that one bit in Shrek when Robin Hood and his Merry Men do the same thing?)
Someone else mentioned disliking David Haas. I for one really, really like his version of the Magnificat, also known as Canticle of Mary and as “And Holy is Your Name”. It too is done to a Celtic folk melody called Wild Mountain Thyme. Does anyone know where I can find a recording of this, with vocals? Thanks.
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CD4
Guest
<<<it sounds almost exactly like The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald!>>>
Funny, because I have often thought the same thing…
Funny, because I have often thought the same thing…
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Bobby_Jim
Guest
Interesting topic!
A few years ago on Good Friday I noticed that “O Sacred Head Surrounded” is the same melody as “American Tune” by Paul Simon. And unfortunately I was familiar with the Paul Simon tune first, so now whenever I hear the beautiful old hymn, I can’t help but think of the Paul Simon lyrics!
It’s interesting that a lot of hymns with good, solid lyrics are Protestant in origin, e.g. “Loves Divine, All Loves Excelling” by Charles Wesley. There are some other Wesleyan hymns that show up frequently in Catholic churches too. I was at a Tridentine mass once, and the choir used “Loves Divine” as the closing hymn - I’ll bet Wesley was rolling in his grave!
Another interesting phenomenon is the use of old hymn tunes with new, somewhat sappy or obnoxious lyrics, e.g. “As A Fire Is Meant For Burning”, or “Lord You Give The Great Commission”. I like the old tunes though.
My least favorite of all time is definitely the “Peace/Lamb of God” by Tom Conry (?). Our priest and choir director both dislike this, but certain people in the congregation raise a stink whenever they try to retire it, so it just won’t die! It works like this:
Women: Peace, I leave with you my friends, my friends, and I am with you till the end…
Men: Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world…
Women: Peace, I leave with you…
Men: Lamb of God…
Women: Peace, I leave with you… (ALL join together for the last part of this verse)
ALL: Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, grant u - u - s… P - E - E - E - E - A - A - A - A - CE (choir echoes "grant us peace).
All set to a sing-songy melody and syncopated rhythm with frenetic guitar strumming and pseudo-jazzy piano chords. Ugh!
A few years ago on Good Friday I noticed that “O Sacred Head Surrounded” is the same melody as “American Tune” by Paul Simon. And unfortunately I was familiar with the Paul Simon tune first, so now whenever I hear the beautiful old hymn, I can’t help but think of the Paul Simon lyrics!
It’s interesting that a lot of hymns with good, solid lyrics are Protestant in origin, e.g. “Loves Divine, All Loves Excelling” by Charles Wesley. There are some other Wesleyan hymns that show up frequently in Catholic churches too. I was at a Tridentine mass once, and the choir used “Loves Divine” as the closing hymn - I’ll bet Wesley was rolling in his grave!
Another interesting phenomenon is the use of old hymn tunes with new, somewhat sappy or obnoxious lyrics, e.g. “As A Fire Is Meant For Burning”, or “Lord You Give The Great Commission”. I like the old tunes though.
My least favorite of all time is definitely the “Peace/Lamb of God” by Tom Conry (?). Our priest and choir director both dislike this, but certain people in the congregation raise a stink whenever they try to retire it, so it just won’t die! It works like this:
Women: Peace, I leave with you my friends, my friends, and I am with you till the end…
Men: Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world…
Women: Peace, I leave with you…
Men: Lamb of God…
Women: Peace, I leave with you… (ALL join together for the last part of this verse)
ALL: Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, grant u - u - s… P - E - E - E - E - A - A - A - A - CE (choir echoes "grant us peace).
All set to a sing-songy melody and syncopated rhythm with frenetic guitar strumming and pseudo-jazzy piano chords. Ugh!
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DJJG
Guest
ireland said:
I have never heard of either of these songs; and they are not in our parish hymnal.
I dont like it when they change the words of the songs to make them “politically correct” or to use “inclusive language.” Both of htese usually end up changing to original meaning on the song.:nope:
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Mary1973
Guest
By far and away “Amazing Grace” mostly because it is done to death. I told my kids if they use it at my funeral, I am coming out of the coffin and coming after them.
I think the hymns based on Bible verses are the best. And why do we sing Protestant hymns? I guess because they were in English!
If you like Latin hymns, I highly recommend the album “Catholic Latin Classics”. It is so beautiful.
I think the hymns based on Bible verses are the best. And why do we sing Protestant hymns? I guess because they were in English!
If you like Latin hymns, I highly recommend the album “Catholic Latin Classics”. It is so beautiful.
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ireland
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GaryTZ
Guest
Around the time of national holidays: Memorial Day Fourth of July, etc, I dislike intensely the singing of patriotic songs during Mass. I was at a parish which sang the “Star Bangled Banner” for the entrance hymn in honor of Independence Day. At Mass, we are there to worship God and thank Him for His many gifts that He has bestowed on us through His Son Jesus, who sacrificed His life for our salvation. At Mass, we can honor those who have given their lives for our freedom by offering our prayers for them. There is a time and place to show one’s patriotism toward our wonderful country, the United States, but not at Mass. The same holds true for honoring birthdays by singing the “Happy Birthday Song”, playing the “Wedding March” at weddings and anniversaries, etc.
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