Nominees for worst hymn

[verdigirl]

Thank you. I’m going to email it to my pastor. Maybe we can try it this Christmas. At least it’s straight through, which my PV will like. He’s been wanting a simple straight through Gloria in Spanish. I may even pass this along to a friend of mine who’s the organist at our Cathedral. I think he’s getting tired of Missa Popular.

My best to you! I’m currently using Misa Popular at my new post, simply because the last guitar-playing guy was using it. I have decided to stop as of Christmas and change to this Sosa version, primarily because the text is much higher quality.

If you wanted a more response-based version, you could always repeat the refrain. Or not.

Feel free to pick my brain as much as you like!

 

[Wolseley]

So, what exactly is your issue with this particular song? Is it that it doesn’t use all of Psalm 118, or that it’s scripturally/theologically unsound?

Well, it’s like I said in Post #205----the theology is murky. Who are we singing to: God, or mountains and seas?

I went to a Sunday evening Mass a zillion years ago at a neighboring church. There was no organist, so the lector was leading the songs. The first one was familiar but odd, then the second was the same way. We finally realized he was singing the Marine Corps Hymn melody for every song. Yeah, it was pretty funny after that.

Hmmm…let’s see…

From the halls of Montezuma, to the shores of Tripoli
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me
We fight our country’s battles on the air, land, and the sea
I once was lost, but now am found, was blind but now I see
First to fight for the right of freedom, and to keep our honor clean
Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved
We are proud to claim the title of United States Marines
How precious did that Grace appear, the hour I first believed

Whoa!!!

 

[benedictgal]

Well, it’s like I said in Post #205----the theology is murky. Who are we singing to: God, or mountains and seas?

Hmmm…let’s see…

From the halls of Montezuma, to the shores of Tripoli
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me
We fight our country’s battles on the air, land, and the sea
I once was lost, but now am found, was blind but now I see
First to fight for the right of freedom, and to keep our honor clean
Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved
We are proud to claim the title of United States Marines
How precious did that Grace appear, the hour I first believed

Whoa!!!

Let’s see if we can match it up to Glory and Praise to our God!

You have a killer sense of humor. Thank you for making this thread enjoyable.

 

[verdigirl]

Well, it’s like I said in Post #205----the theology is murky. Who are we singing to: God, or mountains and seas?

You know what I take from the lyrics? That our song of praise is reaching even to the heights of the mountains and to the shores of the seas.

I do not take inference that we are Wiccans that sing to nature or anything like that.

They had to take liberties when setting the text to music, but this can be easily fixed in the way the song is introduced.

May I suggest, “and now, let us ring out our joy/raise our voices in song so that even the mountains and oceans hear us, with number XXX.”

 

[verdigirl]

From the halls of Montezuma, to the shores of Tripoli
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me
We fight our country’s battles on the air, land, and the sea
I once was lost, but now am found, was blind but now I see
First to fight for the right of freedom, and to keep our honor clean
Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved
We are proud to claim the title of United States Marines
How precious did that Grace appear, the hour I first believed

Whoa!!!

By George, I think you’re right. It worked perfectly! Scary!

 

[VietCatholic83]

Has anyone mentioned “Table of Plenty” which is so often used during the Rite of Holy Communion?

Come to the feast of Heaven and Earth/ Come to the Table of Plenty/God will provide for all that we need/Here at the table of plenty…

Aside from the extreme vocal leap at the “all” in the “For ALL that we need” which has the entire congregation shrieking at once, this song suffers from the “sing-song-brady bunch, happy days, hey this is really fun” plague that ruins liturgical music. it does not adequately capture the sacredness of that moment of Holy Communion.

 

[bluerose]

Hmmm…let’s see…

From the halls of Montezuma, to the shores of Tripoli
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me
We fight our country’s battles on the air, land, and the sea
I once was lost, but now am found, was blind but now I see
First to fight for the right of freedom, and to keep our honor clean
Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved
We are proud to claim the title of United States Marines
How precious did that Grace appear, the hour I first believed

Whoa!!!

Can we try that with the words of the theme song of “Gilligan’s Island”? Just to bring it full circle?

Okay, okay! Put the rocks down! I was just kidding!

 

[benedictgal]

Has anyone mentioned “Table of Plenty” which is so often used during the Rite of Holy Communion?

Come to the feast of Heaven and Earth/ Come to the Table of Plenty/God will provide for all that we need/Here at the table of plenty…

Aside from the extreme vocal leap at the “all” in the “For ALL that we need” which has the entire congregation shrieking at once, this song suffers from the “sing-song-brady bunch, happy days, hey this is really fun” plague that ruins liturgical music. it does not adequately capture the sacredness of that moment of Holy Communion.

I wanted to forget that one. Oh it was terrible when we had to sing it for Holy Thursday. It just killed the whole meaning of Triduum.

 

[verdigirl]

Can we try that with the words of the theme song of “Gilligan’s Island”? Just to bring it full circle?

Okay, okay! Put the rocks down! I was just kidding!

Oh man, that works too!



I am officially rolling on the floor, laughing!

 

[Gamera]

Oh, and I forgot to mention that the only Book of the Chair that we can find is from Spain. It was quite humerous to hear our Deacon read the intentions and pray for “our King Juan Carlos and our Queen Sofia”. We all just looked at each other. Next time around, we switched it to our President and governmental leaders. Now, granted, my city was founded during the reign of Carlos V, it was certainly a hoot.

My Mom once heard a priest say during his homily: “… and that’s what we strive to do here at name of parish.”

Talk about being busted.

 

[Gamera]

Can we try that with the words of the theme song of “Gilligan’s Island”? Just to bring it full circle?

Okay, okay! Put the rocks down! I was just kidding!

Try the lyrics from “Amazing Grace” to the tune of “The House of the Rising Sun.”

 

[lak611]

Has anyone mentioned “Table of Plenty” which is so often used during the Rite of Holy Communion?

Come to the feast of Heaven and Earth/ Come to the Table of Plenty/God will provide for all that we need/Here at the table of plenty…

Aside from the extreme vocal leap at the “all” in the “For ALL that we need” which has the entire congregation shrieking at once, this song suffers from the “sing-song-brady bunch, happy days, hey this is really fun” plague that ruins liturgical music. it does not adequately capture the sacredness of that moment of Holy Communion.

That sounds like something that the “name it and claim it” type of evangelicals would write.

 

[anthony022071]

The worst song is “Glory and Praise to Our God.” It has these atrocious vocal leaps and bad modulations. It’s very embarrassing to listen to.

My mistake. I meant “Glory to God in the Highest”. Musically,that is the worst song,bar none. It’s an example of the evil that can happen when a sincere,decent,tame,prosaic,middle-class Catholic song-writer makes an attempt to be passionate and emphatic and sublimely exultant.

“Glory and Praise to Our God” is tolerable,endurable.

 

[benedictgal]

I just saw the last column on the forum next to this post. Wow! Over 4,000 people have seen this thread. I feel like Lisa Robertson on QVC, you know, when they flash the number of people who have bought a certain item. Gee.

Can someone explain what the three stars next to the thread mean?

 

[SeekerJen]

I’m only up to page 15 in reading this thread, but so far (unless I missed it) nobody has mentioned that chestnut of the contemporary repertory: “Voices that Challenge”.

See, I had happily blocked all memory of that one. I won’t thank you for opening the floodgates. shudder

 

[baltobetsy]

Why not work with your parish’s liturgy committee to have Evening Prayer at your Catholic parish? Why would you expose yourself to the possibility of theological errors by going to hear someone else’s preaching?

The Liturgy of the Hours is something that is TOTALLY permissible for the layperson to pray. Why not be a team player and work toward having this available to others in your parish?

I can’t even imagine reciting the Apostle’s Creed in someone else’s denomination.

This Episcopal parish is my employer. I am a professional choral singer, and this is where the job opportunity is. I also volunteer as a cantor in my Catholic parish. When they have Evening Prayer at my Catholic parish, the very small choir always outnumbers the congregation, so it has been discontinued.

I am happy to recite (or chant) the Apostles’ Creed with my Episcopal friends. I pray for them that they will accept even more of the truth as time goes on.

Betsy

 

[peary]

Are you aware of the problem we’re having with an “official” Spanish translation for use in the United States? The problem stems from the fact that there are actually two lectionaries/translation of the texts: one used in Spain and the other that is used in Latin America.

There is a preference in the Southwest for the Latin American version. Which Spanish Missal do you own?

Just because you find it in the hymnal, and just because everyone else is using a screwy Gloria and Agnus Dei, does not mean that you should. Hats off to you for being conscientious, and I agree that the choices presented by OCP are pretty weak. But it has something to do with the issue of translations and texts approved by the Bishops. It’s very similar to the NAB vs. NRSV lectionary translations issue for the English-speaking world. Thus far, unless I am completely mistaken, the Bishops have not set forth a particular preference or offered guidelines on this language issue.

What is the reason for using a through-composed Gloria setting, as opposed to something more response-based? Is it a time issue? You can use any of the Glorias offered by OCP in a through-composed manner. You don’t have to repeat them. As a liturgy planner, you can manipulate them to suit your needs…even correct the text if you like.

As far as using Latin, you don’t need a schola to do that. Just use a plainchant setting that is easy for the assembly to learn and just teach it to them. Your mixed-voice choirs can do it too. The issue is the text, and not the ensemble, right? We’re not dealing with a perfect world here.

Again, take a look at the Agnus Dei from the Misa Melodica, as well as Pablo Sosa’s Gloria from the Misa de la Aurora, both available from OCP (look in Flor y Canto II). The text is better, if not perfect. This is the limitation in using the vernacular. Be happy to send you music and recordings offline, if you like!

Wow, we have our own “tower of babel” right here in the church with all of these different translations. How ridiculous! I say, go with the original intent of the Latin in ALL the vernacular!

 

[KJLSchneider]

OK, just to get this off my chest, I have to admit that I like On Eagles Wings (although after the YooHoo comments I may not be able to sing it again).

You covered most of the ones I really dislike except for the category of “spirituals sung by people from north of the Mason-Dixon or west of Texas.” In both places I’ve lived (PA and here in AZ) they insist on singing spirituals such as Wade in the Water and Soon and Very Soon, but at half speed and with no rhythm whatsoever!!! Then sometimes they want us to clap, too I draw the line there.

Also on the list is anything with a gigantic range (sadly On Eagles Wings falls in this category) since I’m only good for about 8 notes.

Oh, and Our God is an Awesome God!!! Have to sing that one when we go to church with the in-laws in PHX. HATE most of their music.

 

[lak611]

Oh, and Our God is an Awesome God!!! Have to sing that one when we go to church with the in-laws in PHX. HATE most of their music.

My mother’s parish has a CCM Mass where they featured that song and “Shout to the Lord” complete with guitars, drums and piano. We only went because the Mass was offered for my late father. My mother avoids that Mass now. The other Masses, thankfully, do not have the CCM band.

 

[mercygate]

When my grandmother died two months later, her funeral Mass was right before Holy Week. This time, I went to the pastor and told him what I wanted: Attended Domine, I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say, We Have Been Told and Salve Regina.

Hah! “I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say” is on my funeral list, too! For our life-pledge and vow Mass I wrote words to Thaxted that were approved by our Visitor for singing at the Offertory: I want that sung at my funeral also. Gotta have the Dies Irae as well.

Words to Thaxted:

I vow to Christ, my Saviour, without reserve or sharme,
To serve with firm conviction the honor of His Name.
I bind myself in freedom to heed His holy Word
And by my life proclaim Him the true and living Lord.
To serve Him in simplicity, to praise His Name in song,
Shall be my life’s ambition if He will keep me strong.

O God, my Heart is Ready; my hand is on the plough,
And there’s no looking back, Lord; I would not falter now.
So guide me by your mercy, in ways of truth and grace,
That I may stand before You and see Your shining Face
When death shall close my eyelids and ploughing days are done,
And, safe, into your Kingdom, you bid your servant: Come!