Nominees for worst hymn

[RosalieM]

Not a mass song? Our choir director had us singing it at Palm Sunday mass and it had an additional line: “Ride on, King Jesus, no man can hinder me…”:bigyikes:

I just wanted to add that I enjoyed singing this song; but it’s not appropriate for a Catholic mass imho.

 

[CarrieH]

Probably my least-favoreite Advent hymn is “O come, o come, EE-maa-AAA-aaan-yoo-ellllll…”

Depressing tune. Makes me want to open up a vein every time I hear it.

The priest at the parish church where I used to live would make us sing* all seven verses* every Sunday of Advent. We used to “count down” – “14 more verses 'til Christmas!” :hypno: I offered it as a penance.

 

[brotherhrolf]

The priest at the parish church where I used to live would make us sing* all seven verses* every Sunday of Advent. We used to “count down” – “14 more verses 'til Christmas!” :hypno: I offered it as a penance.

It is actually a translation of the Latin Gregorian chant which was written in the 9th century although the tune we use today is from the 15th century. We use it as an entrance processional with three verses and we alternate verses.

 

[lak611]

When you go to evensong tonight (are you going?), don’t worry about following the service. They’ll either direct you to the correct page in the Prayer Book or have a printed order of worship, like a bulletin or program.

Betsy

It was beautiful. I got there early, and the choir was singing and the organist was playing before the service started. They had handouts of the prayers and hymns on a table when I entered the church. Some people in the congregation had their own prayer books. The organ voluntaries were gorgeous. The Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis sung by the choir almost moved me to tears. I sang the Apostles’ Creed and Lord’s Prayer with the choir. One of the hymns was “Ye Servants of God”, lyrics by Wesley, music by Haydn. Another hymn was one that was originally in Latin, but I forgot the name of it. The congregation was very reverant; everyone bowed at the name of Jesus in the prayers. After the evensong service was over, I took a look at the hymnal. All the old Catholic classics are in it. I definitely know what I will be doing on Wednesday evenings now.

 

[bluerose]

It is actually a translation of the Latin Gregorian chant which was written in the 9th century although the tune we use today is from the 15th century. We use it as an entrance processional with three verses and we alternate verses.

Have you heard Mannheim Steamroller’s version of it? Gregorian chant and bells. You can almost smell the incense. Our parish priest plays a recording of it before Mass every Sunday of Advent which I really love (remember, I have the parish with the ancient guitar player, the even more ancient out-of-tune guitar, and enthusiastic, if not particularly talented, Spanish choir with a penchant for songs like “Alabare” and “Buenos Dias, Senor”.)

 

[baltobetsy]

It was beautiful. I got there early, and the choir was singing and the organist was playing before the service started. They had handouts of the prayers and hymns on a table when I entered the church. Some people in the congregation had their own prayer books. The organ voluntaries were gorgeous. The Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis sung by the choir almost moved me to tears. I sang the Apostles’ Creed and Lord’s Prayer with the choir. One of the hymns was “Ye Servants of God”, lyrics by Wesley, music by Haydn. Another hymn was one that was originally in Latin, but I forgot the name of it. The congregation was very reverant; everyone bowed at the name of Jesus in the prayers. After the evensong service was over, I took a look at the hymnal. All the old Catholic classics are in it. I definitely know what I will be doing on Wednesday evenings now.

So glad you liked it. Which Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis did they do? Did you keep the program? (There will be a quiz every week! )Yes, the 1982 is a great hymnal.

Betsy

 

[lak611]

So glad you liked it. Which Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis did they do? Did you keep the program? (There will be a quiz every week! )Yes, the 1982 is a great hymnal.

Betsy

I don’t know which ones they were. The program did not say. I will ask the choir director next time I go. They wanted the programs back, so I could not keep it. The hymnal was the 1982 version. I also liked the fact that they had all four parts printed for the hymns that were sung by congregation and choir. I’m an alto and can read music, so I was able to follow along. I have never seen any Catholic hymnals or song sheets that have all four parts. Do you have any idea why?

 

[peary]

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!

Do you realize you can sing this hymn to the tune “My Bologny has a first name…”?

 

[anamchara]

I guess I’m not limited by the style of music I like or dislike, for I like all music.

I like Gregorian Chant, and I like the St. Louis Jesuits. I like John Michael Talbot and I like Michael Card. Saturday evenings, I like listening to the Gather Gospel Music Hour.

In secular music, I like jazz, classical, country, bluegrass, traditional rock and roll, as well as rhythm and blues.

If I were force to pick a style of music I don’t like, I would say rap, but then, I’m not sure that qualifies as music.

Jim

Jim, you just have no sense of the sacred, Traditional and beautiful. By the way, I’ve never made the claims you listed.

He seems to, as he says above my friend. I personally love some of the songs you listed :heaven: but then I am a fan of the old folk 1960s feel good Mamma and Papas etc… I think you said this type of music " does not take us out of ourselves and into the presence of Someone Wholly Other." I’ll have to be disagreeing’ with ya there

 

[Sarabande]

A few years ago, we had one who wanted the music from Disney’s “The Little Mermaid.” She was Methodist but marrying a Catholic, and nearly had a hissy-fit when the organist said “no way.” He suggested that she have the wedding in her church since she didn’t like the Catholic church’s rules, but she whined that our church was so much prettier than hers, as if it were just a venue for her “special day” and not a house of worship.

Sometimes, I just want to pinch them and if needed, give them a gentle shake and remind them of what a Sacrament is all about. Granted, she wasn’t Catholic, but come on!!!

 

[mercygate]

The priest at the parish church where I used to live would make us sing* all seven verses* every Sunday of Advent. We used to “count down” – “14 more verses 'til Christmas!” :hypno: I offered it as a penance.

One man’s penance is another man’s perfect joy!

 

[valient_Lucy]

I’ll second “And they’ll know we are Christians by our love,” if for no other reason than my mom would sing that song when I was little and I was arguing with by brother. I can’t even describe how annoying that was.

 

[mercygate]

It was beautiful. I got there early, and the choir was singing and the organist was playing before the service started. They had handouts of the prayers and hymns on a table when I entered the church. Some people in the congregation had their own prayer books. The organ voluntaries were gorgeous. The Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis sung by the choir almost moved me to tears. I sang the Apostles’ Creed and Lord’s Prayer with the choir. One of the hymns was “Ye Servants of God”, lyrics by Wesley, music by Haydn. Another hymn was one that was originally in Latin, but I forgot the name of it. The congregation was very reverant; everyone bowed at the name of Jesus in the prayers. After the evensong service was over, I took a look at the hymnal. All the old Catholic classics are in it. I definitely know what I will be doing on Wednesday evenings now.

Careful! DH & I met at Oxford. He was Catholic, I Anglican. I took him to Christ Church College for Evensong many times. He liked it. We left Oxford and went our separate ways. About 2 years later, I learned that he had been received into the Episcopal Church at St. Stephen’s Church in Providence (he was a doctoral student at Brown). So all that beauty, reverence, majesty, historicity got to him. Fortunately, he converted back in. But he was 30 years living in the Samaria of Anglicanism.

We both miss it all very much. Not worth missing the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, of course. But it is niggardly for Catholics to sneer at Anglicans who cherish their magnificent traditions despite the catastrophe of moral culture int eh Anglican Communion. Those wonderful traditions ARE magnificent, and they are deeply catholic.

 

[valient_Lucy]

It is actually a translation of the Latin Gregorian chant which was written in the 9th century although the tune we use today is from the 15th century. We use it as an entrance processional with three verses and we alternate verses.

I LOVE that hymn. And as you pointed out, it’s hardly a post Vatican II hymn.

 

[mercygate]

I don’t know which ones they were. The program did not say. I will ask the choir director next time I go. They wanted the programs back, so I could not keep it. The hymnal was the 1982 version. I also liked the fact that they had all four parts printed for the hymns that were sung by congregation and choir. I’m an alto and can read music, so I was able to follow along. I have never seen any Catholic hymnals or song sheets that have all four parts. Do you have any idea why?

Oooh! Oooh! Oooh! I wonder if they were Anglican chant? Or were they 15-minute extravaganzas by “important” composers?

 

[mercygate]

Do you realize you can sing this hymn to the tune “My Bologny has a first name…”?

:bigyikes:Not around me, it can’t!

 

[baltobetsy]

:bigyikes:Not around me, it can’t!

Don’t worry; it breaks down after the first two lines. I didn’t desecrate your text to find out, either. I sang the Oscar Mayer words to “Thaxted.”

Betsy

 

[mercygate]

Don’t worry; it breaks down after the first two lines. I didn’t desecrate your text to find out, either. I sang the Oscar Mayer words to “Thaxted.”

Betsy

Yeah. Thaxted is not easy to use for anything except “I Vow to Thee, My Country” and there is one other hymn I know written to it (not a very good hymn, I think). 13.13.13.13.13.13 is NOT a common metre.

 

[Sarabande]

I fell into that trap at the urging of a cantor who is married to our bishop’s executive assistant. She convinced us that we should sing “Angels, We Have Heard on High”, in lieu of the Gloria for midnight Mass.

I had a bride whose pastor suggested this to her for her wedding. I had nothing to lose since I didn’t work in the parish and that the organist was a friend/colleague of mine also outside of the parish. I was able to nicely suggest just using a regular Alleluia chant for the Gospel Acclamation and to place the “Angels, We Have Heard on High” in a more suitable place during the wedding. Fortunately, she wasn’t a bridezilla and was ok with that.

 

[lak611]

Careful! DH & I met at Oxford. He was Catholic, I Anglican. I took him to Christ Church College for Evensong many times. He liked it. We left Oxford and went our separate ways. About 2 years later, I learned that he had been received into the Episcopal Church at St. Stephen’s Church in Providence (he was a doctoral student at Brown). So all that beauty, reverence, majesty, historicity got to him. Fortunately, he converted back in. But he was 30 years living in the Samaria of Anglicanism.

We both miss it all very much. Not worth missing the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, of course. But it is niggardly for Catholics to sneer at Anglicans who cherish their magnificent traditions despite the catastrophe of moral culture int eh Anglican Communion. Those wonderful traditions ARE magnificent, and they are deeply catholic.

Don’t worry. I’m only going to the evensong. That particular Episcopal cathedral is probably one of the most liberal in the country. There is another Episcopal parish in the Cleveland area that is thinking of leaving. It would be nice if they converted to Catholic so we could have an Anglican-Use parish. Unless that happens, the evensong is the only service I will attend in an Episcopal church.