Music Leader Thread Part IV—Song Lists, Suggestions, and Comments

[liturgyluver]

Trinity Sunday

The God of Abraham praise
All hail, adored Trinity
Most ancient of all mysteries
I bind unto myself today
Holy, Holy Holy, Lord God Almighty

Corpus Christi

Lord, enthroned in heavenly splendor
Thee we adore, O hidden Saviour, thee
Soul of my Saviour, sanctify my breast
Laud, O Zion, thy salvation
Sweet sacrament divine
Of the glorious body telling

 

[CatholicZ09]

Unfortunately, we are doing the Mass of Creation until September. I heard the Gloria from that Mass for the first time tonight, and it sounds very “busy.” It seems like Marty Haugen was really trying hard to fit the words of the new translation with his melody. I didn’t really like it; it seemed really awkward. I didn’t mind the other parts of his setting, but the Gloria is not that great.

We were singing “Holy, Holy, Holy” today, and I was surprised to see at the end of verse two: “Which wert, and art, and evermore shalt be.” I looked in previous Breaking Bread missals, and it originally had: “Who was, and is, and evermore shall be.” Who would have thought that OCP would replace newer language with older language? I was totally caught off guard when I sang it tonight!

 

[pnewton]

Unfortunately, we are doing the Mass of Creation until September. I heard the Gloria from that Mass for the first time tonight, and it sounds very “busy.” It seems like Marty Haugen was really trying hard to fit the words of the new translation with his melody. I didn’t really like it; it seemed really awkward. I didn’t mind the other parts of his setting, but the Gloria is not that great.

I hate to say this, but every Gloria is awkward. The translation is awkward. This is what one gets with literal translations. Slow it down and it works better. Just remember, “Sufficient to the day is the evil thereof.” I guess this applies to all we do, but I was really referring to the language of that verse. Even something that is stilted becomes easier with time, which is why the example you give below is also good to remember.

We were singing “Holy, Holy, Holy” today, and I was surprised to see at the end of verse two: “Which wert, and art, and evermore shalt be.” I looked in previous Breaking Bread missals, and it originally had: “Who was, and is, and evermore shall be.” Who would have thought that OCP would replace newer language with older language?

See how it applies? The traditional is more awkward, yet that very fact can make it endearing. It “sounds” like Church.

 

[pianomany2k]

OCP (more so WLP I think) is notorious for keeping some form of old language from time to time. And frankly, I am not all that impressed with most of the composers published under those two publishers. Bit that is just my opinion…

As for the Mass of Creation, I refuse to use that Gloria. It is nothing but a cluster mess, and if I have a difficult time with it, how is my choir and congregation going to do it?

 

[AloysiusBologna]

OCP (more so WLP I think) is notorious for keeping some form of old language from time to time. And frankly, I am not all that impressed with most of the composers published under those two publishers. Bit that is just my opinion…

As for the Mass of Creation, I refuse to use that Gloria. It is nothing but a cluster mess, and if I have a difficult time with it, how is my choir and congregation going to do it?

Would be great to hear your preferred composers and/or publishers…
Sometimes it is just a matter of convenience/cost/acceptance as to selected works…

Though, should we not strive for the best or strive to include all the rest??..

Any suggestions as to how to keep everyone in tune and time while processing outside? Though to late to change for tomorrow’s feast …was reminded of our lack of success even on Palm Sunday…

 

[Sarabande]

I hate to say this, but every Gloria is awkward. The translation is awkward. This is what one gets with literal translations. Slow it down and it works better. Just remember, “Sufficient to the day is the evil thereof.” I guess this applies to all we do, but I was really referring to the language of that verse. Even something that is stilted becomes easier with time, which is why the example you give below is also good to remember.

I think the problem is that composers tried very hard to keep their music with the newer translations. For some it worked, but for others, it didn’t. A colleague of mine who was around during the first translations in the 60s told me that some beautiful masses were actually written in the vernacular with the initial translations. Then when they re-did the translations again, most, if not all, of the composers chose not to rewrite the music to the text because it just made the additions in the compositions too contrived and “stilted”. Our cathedral had this library of “new” masses written in that short period of time and then just ended up having to box them away and purchase the new masses. Many of these are the ones which current composers tried to rewrite. They were probably trying to avoid what happened previously.

One of the parishes I work at still does the MofC mass with the Gloria. The congregation sings the entire Gloria rather than just the response. No matter how much we do it, it’s still really awkward with the new translation. I’m sorry to say, but I think what most of them should have done was just leave those old mass settings alone and just write brand new ones. But I also understand that many people in the pews also did not want to just get rid of the settings they were used to singing.

See how it applies? The traditional is more awkward, yet that very fact can make it endearing. It “sounds” like Church.

It’s funny. Speaking-wise, the modern English obviously works better, but I actually prefer singing it in the old English. It’s more poetic and flows better off of my tongue. That said, I’m used to singing and reciting in Old English due to the repertoire I sometimes have to sing and my obsession with Tudor history and Shakespearean plays. lol!

 

[CatholicZ09]

Sunday, June 29, 2014 - Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles - Year A

Processional Hymn: #193 - “By All Your Saints Still Striving” ST. THEODULPH
Preparation of the Gifts: #418 - “The Church’s One Foundation” AURELIA
Communion Hymn: #605 - “The Light of Christ” Fishel
Recessional Hymn: #722 - “Lift High the Cross” CRUCIFER

 

[Gertabelle]

Note to self for next year:

If you agree to be the replacement cantor at mass on Corpus Christi, check the bulletin to see if there’s a procession and Benediction at the end of mass!

I rarely even sing at mass – I’m the organist for a Sunday morning mass – but I offered to help out when all the “regulars” on Saturday night couldn’t be there last week. Five minutes before mass, someone comes to the choir loft and tells me Father needs to see me in the sacristy. There’s a Eucharistic procession at the end of mass – “You’ll need to sing this song at the beginning, this song at the end, and a few songs as we process between the altars.”

“Sure, Father, no problem.”

God is so good! Everything went well and we had a beautiful procession!

Still, next time I’m checking the bulletin before I agree to be the sole cantor at any mass!

Gertie

 

[pianomany2k]

Need some suggestions for the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus (June 27).

This is the first year I have had to play for it, and not really sure what would be appropriate.

Any suggestions would be great! Thanks.

 

[liturgyluver]

Need some suggestions for the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus (June 27).

This is the first year I have had to play for it, and not really sure what would be appropriate.

Any suggestions would be great! Thanks.

Suggestions below::

• Sweet heart of Jesus (to fount of love tune)
• O Sacred Heart Our home lies deep in thee
• Jesu grant me this I pray
• All Ye who seek a comfort sure
  -To Christ the Prince of Peace
• To Jesus’ heart all burning

 

[AloysiusBologna]

Note to **Gertabelle **for next year:

If you agree to be the replacement cantor at mass on Corpus Christi, check the bulletin to see if there’s a procession and Benediction at the end of mass!

Congrats! I am confident you did a great job!:harp:

Any suggestions as to how to keep everyone in tune and time while processing outside? Though too late to for Corpus Christi…was reminded of our lack of success even on Palm Sunday…

 

[Gertabelle]

Note to **Gertabelle **for next year:

If you agree to be the replacement cantor at mass on Corpus Christi, check the bulletin to see if there’s a procession and Benediction at the end of mass!

Congrats! I am confident you did a great job!:harp:

Any suggestions as to how to keep everyone in tune and time while processing outside? Though too late to for Corpus Christi…was reminded of our lack of success even on Palm Sunday…

Oh, you are a sweetheart! Regardless of my singing, I think everyone was just so thankful they weren’t the ones who had to sing – virtually alone – for the entire procession

Gertie

 

[LoyalViews]

Coming Sunday…the Solemnity of St Peter and St Paul
God Is Working His Purpose Out
Hail Holy Queen enthron’d Above
Tantum Ergo
Sweet Sacrament Divine
For all the Saints
Sweet Heart of Jesus

 

[liturgyluver]

Coming Sunday…the Solemnity of St Peter and St Paul
God Is Working His Purpose Out
Hail Holy Queen enthron’d Above
Tantum Ergo
Sweet Sacrament Divine
For all the Saints
Sweet Heart of Jesus

Interesting choice of hymns but dare I suggest that a few of them are not specific enough
for the great feast of St Peter and Paul.

How about:

-With golden splendour and with roseate hues of mourn

• Let the round world with songs rejoice
• The beautous light of God’s eternal majesty
• Wouldst thou a patron see

 

[pnewton]

I am going old hymn, or at least sort of old.

For All the Saints
Faith of Our Fathers
We Come to Your Feast
O God Our Help in Ages Past
For All the Saints

 

[LoyalViews]

Interesting choice of hymns but dare I suggest that a few of them are not specific enough
for the great feast of St Peter and Paul.

How about:

-With golden splendour and with roseate hues of mourn

• Let the round world with songs rejoice
• The beautous light of God’s eternal majesty
• Wouldst thou a patron see

We actually changed all the hymns.
What I pick and what we go with rarely ever coincide. Around the Throne a Glorious Band, God Created Earth and Heaven, Bread of Life, and Lord You Gave the Great Commision is what we sang.

 

[CatholicZ09]

Next weekend we return to the Sundays of Ordinary Time. If you don’t go to weekday Mass, you haven’t seen green since Sunday, March 2!

Sunday, July 6, 2014 - Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year A

Processional Hymn: #647 - “God of Our Fathers” NATIONAL HYMN
Preparation of the Gifts: #594 - “For the Beauty of the Earth” DIX
Communion Hymn: #331 - “Taste and See” Moore
Recessional Hymn: #373 - “Take the Word of God with You” Walker

 

[pnewton]

Next weekend we return to the Sundays of Ordinary Time. If you don’t go to weekday Mass, you haven’t seen green since Sunday, March 2!

Yeah!

I will start with* Glory and Praise to Our God* and end with Now Thank We All Our God. I will try and find something on humility for the middle, uses Take and Eat for communion and probably Lord of All Hopefulness for a meditation.

 

[pianomany2k]

I’ve always found it interesting how people have (sometimes) completely different interpretations of the readings. For example, this is what I did last weekend:

Take Up Your Cross
Only This I Want
Taste and See
Praise to You O Christ Our Savior​

This weekend:

All Are Welcome (because this is a tourist town, and it is the Fourth of July weekend)
I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say
Like a Shepherd
Come to the Water (2nd Communion hymn)
God Bless America

 

[CatholicZ09]

I’ve always found it interesting how people have (sometimes) completely different interpretations of the readings. For example, this is what I did last weekend:

Take Up Your Cross
Only This I Want
Taste and See
Praise to You O Christ Our Savior​

This weekend:

All Are Welcome (because this is a tourist town, and it is the Fourth of July weekend)
I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say
Like a Shepherd
Come to the Water (2nd Communion hymn)
God Bless America

I didn’t think of “Only This I Want” for this past weekend. Now that I think of it, that would have been a good choice because it was modeled after the second reading.

I’m not sure about “All Are Welcome”. I don’t really detest the song, but it can be overused. The congregation seems to like it, though.

Is “Come to the Water” the John Foley version? I really like that one, but I’m afraid the congregation won’t sing it because of the high notes. How does your congregation handle it? I’m always trying to mention good new songs to the liturgy committee at our meetings.