Using a concert march for a hymn

[catholicwx]

Hi all,
I am curious if it will be appropriate to write a hymn set to a classical concert piece (i.e. Pomp and Circumstance #1 “Graduation March”). I am asking as I’ve been thinking of writing a hymn or at least a version of the Easter Sequence to Pomp and Circumstance or some other known melody (Mainly because my parishes does the one in the hymnal that is set to Ode of Joy). If not Pomp and Circumstance, any other good melodies that are not overly used that could be easily accesible to make hymns.

Thanks.

 

[Peeps]

Hi all,
I am curious if it will be appropriate to write a hymn set to a classical concert piece (i.e. Pomp and Circumstance #1 “Graduation March”). I am asking as I’ve been thinking of writing a hymn or at least a version of the Easter Sequence to Pomp and Circumstance or some other known melody (Mainly because my parishes does the one in the hymnal that is set to Ode of Joy). If not Pomp and Circumstance, any other good melodies that are not overly used that could be easily accesible to make hymns.

Thanks.

I’ve been studying the history of hymnody for several months now.

I have no degree in music, although I have studied under several people who do have degrees and who have worked in churches for their entire lives.

Many of the hymns in our hymnals are set to melodies that are “secular.”

So I say, go ahead and write your hymn and use the familiar melody.

I do wonder if people will have a hard time accepting the very familiar melody they know as “Pomp and Circumstance” as a “sacred” hymn. But it if it a good hymn (poem) with a good text, it will gain acceptance with that melody, and people will enjoy singing something that they are familiar with.

 

[catholicwx]

I was asking as I know “O God Beyond All Praising” comes from Holst’s Jupiter.

 

[Peeps]

I was asking as I know “O God Beyond All Praising” comes from Holst’s Jupiter.

Yes, and I love that hymn!

Many many hymns in all hymnals, including the Catholic hymnal, have melodies that were not written along with the poem. Many of these melodies have secular associations, although it’s not true that “A Mighty Fortress” was a popular drinking song!

So if you write a great poem, inspired by the Holy Spirit, why not use a great melody?! Give it a try!

BTW, several hymns started out with a melody, and then somewhere along the way, someone decided to try another melody that seemed like a better fit. So maybe if your poem doesn’t go over well with “Pomp and Circumstance,” someone will find or write another melody that is a better fit.

 

[stpurl]

Yes, exactly, though I believe the hymn tune is known as Thaxted and named for the village where Holtz lived most of his life. One of my favorite hymns as well.

 

[JanR]

This reminds me of how the song, “Greensleeves” was transformed into “What Child Is This?” as a Christmas hymn. So, I guess familiar tunes are perfectly fine for sacred lyrics, as they help connect us through the familiar to the sacred.