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| Tuesday, May 21, 2013 |
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Come Come Ye Saints |
Heh. The Spirit of God will certainly be making a comeback in 2010! I found as I went through Hymns that many of my favorite hymns are indeed the millennial ones, as you can see on my list of recommendations. |
I Believe in Christ– I think this is the Church’s overriding theme today and the impression we want to leave with the world. |
PaulM, I won’t disagree with you on the theme or message, but my personal opinion is that “I Believe in Christ” is one of the most tedious, ponderous, redundant, and mind-numbing hymns in existence. (Not to mention its length — it should never, ever be the closing hymn.) The fact that congregational hymns are always sung at 60, regardless of the metronome mark, only makes the situation worse. Nevertheless, this hymn is essential to LDS-hood because it reminds us all of the “eternal” part in eternal hell, prompting us to repent and be better people. If that’s not reason enough to damn it to never being sung in anyone’s ward, I’ve come up with another justification: Since they’re striking references to McConkie in Gospel Principles, I don’t see why we shouldn’t go the whole nine yards and strike him from the hymnbook, too. I could be mollified, however, if they just cut the number of verses and length of each verse in half. Then it wouldn’t bother me anymore. |
At the risk of being a Cynical Cedric, I’d venture to suggest that slow, funereal hymn-singing is in fact the new hallmark of LDS-hood. I was recently on exchanges with our full-time missionaries, and when teaching an investigator who said the music at (LDS) church services made her so bored that she felt the Spirit leave, we all found ourselves agreeing with her. I was also told recently by a temple worker that “The Spirit of God” is in fact too boisterous to be sung in the temple. :( But in an ideal world? The Spirit of God, the ultimate Hymn of the Restoration, has all we need: a joyful, rousing song about what makes our church unique and about our relationship to God. |
So, the question is “What LDS hymn do you think is vital to our LDS-hood?” (and not “What LDS hymn do you think is vital to your own personal/musical fulfillment?”). I would nominate O My Father (Hymns, No. 292) as vital to our (collective) LDS-hood. It preserves in a very front-and-center way some important doctrinal points. |
Oh, and Orwell, I say “Amen” on lambasting the interminable “I Believe in Christ” (ironically composed by John LONGhurst). |
Orwell: I couldn’t agree more but as Hunter pointed out I was following the prompt. My own personal choice would be The Spirit of God. Bro Jones: Amen! Amen! |
Orwell said (#4) “‘I Believe in Christ’ is one of the most tedious, ponderous, redundant, and mind-numbing hymns in existence.” I couldn’t agree with you more. On my mission someone had a recording of BRM reading the lyrics in his deep South-Utah drawl while the music played in the background. I can’t hear the song now without remembering his voice. What’s worse is that the reading made us realize how sophomoric the lyrics are. We started making up our own versions (in varying levels of sacrilege) and we’d recite them while impersonating BRM’s voice. Things like: I believe in Christ, he is my bud, I believe in Christ, oh come what may, |
I meant no disrespect to those that were actually following the prompt. I just can’t let a mention of “I Believe in Christ” go by without imposing my opinion on everyone else. Jota G, that is classic missionary… I really can’t comment any further without incurring my wife’s wrath. |
‘Vital’ Hymns – Spirit of God Quirky Entry – In Our Lovely Deseret. I can’t help but laugh every time I sing that song… |
My Vitalogy: Redeemer of Israel |
1) “I Am A Child of God” (Usually the first hymn translated when the Church undertakes missionary work requiring a fluency in a different language) |
Jota G:–I understand how hearing a recording of Elder McConkie’s slow rendition of his own lyrics could result in a series of jokes, but for those of us who remember, it was a tender time. Though I have been at the head of the line to get _Mormon Doctrine_ off the shelves, the memory of Elder McConkie, dying of cancer, there at Conference against doctor’s orders to bear a final testimony is sweet. When I hear the recording, I remember that moment, and the fact that Elder McConkie died very soon afterwards. It was a lovely gift, though an imperfect one. He was a flawed man, but he certainly believed in Christ and was certain that he would meet Him very soon. I often use that particular memory to counter any negative feelings I might find when thinking of MoDoc. I will need a merciful God’s love and forgiveness when I die, and I will be happy to greet the man who penned “I Believe in Christ” in that other world. |
I am all for having a merciful attitude towards Bruce R. McConkie. I can’t say the same for the hymn, though. (The generation gap may be a factor, I admit.) |
The peculiarly Mormon hymns have been listed. I’d throw in “Lead, Kindly Light” as well. For me it has represented the ultimate in prayer and relying on the Lord since hearing a returned POW from the Vietnam war tell about making a lamp out of his spoon, a shred of his clothing, and fat skimmed from soup, and how its tiny flame kept him going through the darkest nights. |
I love “Lead Kindly Light.” Isn’t it interesting that it’s by John Cardinal Newman, who wrote it during his own quest for religious truth as he transitioned from Anglicanism to Roman Catholicism. But it has meaning for all of us, regardless of our religious affiliation. I asked that it be sung at the dedication of the Jane Manning James monument, because Jane’s life story talks about walking in the dark and finally seeing a light in the distance. |
Precious Savior is my favorite hymn. Some BYU choir sang it Sunday in a wonderful new arrangement at the YSA fireside. DH manages to have it sung fairly often in Sacrament Meeting, and I always consider it a personal favor. |
“The Morning Breaks”–sure, the normal congregation can’t sing it, but it’s the entire restoration in five verses! And the editorial committee agrees with me. It ain’t number one by accident! And “Come, Come Ye Saints” is a close second! |
The Spirit of God An interesting story. We moved into our current ward over 7 years ago. Our then 6 year old was really excited because we sand “The Spirit of God” our first Sunday. It is his all time favorite hymn. Well year after year passed and we never sang it again. Finally, just this last summer, after we changed music leaders in the ward – we finally sang it again. How can you be an LDS ward and go 7 years without singing the one LDS written hymnn that ALL LDS members know and have sung since the beginning of the church. |
In response to the actual prompt: “I Saw a Mighty Angel Fly” is very under-appreciated. A uniquely LDS text wrapped in English folk-melody goodness (with a Vaughn Williams harmonization to boot). The English are excused from singing it since it weirds them out to sing the “O Little Town of Bethlehem” melody to another text. But, since I can’t talk hymns without getting all opinionated (because I am a huge and unapologetic snob when it comes to hymns): Love “The Morning Breaks,” “All Creatures of Our God and King,” “Praise to the Lord,” “Ring out, Wild Bells,” most rarely sung hymns, and countless others… But, I find it much easier to answer this post in the negative — yeah, I know that reflects poorly on me. Oh well. Let us ban forever: I Believe in Christ |
Orwell, There is Sunshine in My Soul Today should never be banned. It may not be my favorite hymn, but it really hits the spot sometimes. |
It turns my soul into a black hole of nothingness. I think I am beyond feeling… |
I am with Orwell on the sunshine songs, and yes, that makes me a curmudgeon, but it most certainly never ever “hits the spot.” I am surprised to read about everyones saying that “The Morning Breaks” is hard or rarely sung; in the last several congregations I have been in, it is sung on a regular basis. We may not be Mo Tab, but we do all right. |
There are a couple from the old hymnal with vital messages that I would like to see make a comeback: When First the Glorious Light of Truth Fortunately, I currently hold callings as the Ward Music Chair and the Choir Director, so I can just assign myself the duty of leading the choir in these numbers. |
Orwell and ESO, remember that with repentance, we can all learn to feel the spirit again someday. |
Well, “I Am A Child of God” epitomizes Mormonism, in my mind. It’s a good song. But if I were stuck on a desert island and could only ever sing one song ever again, as an expression of my faith, I think I would choose “I’m Trying to be like Jesus.” Such a pretty song. I feel pretty guilty about hating “I Believe in Christ” but it’s an incredibly tedious song with no melody or beauty. It’s a good testimony but as musical expression of faith, it basically just sucks. I mean, bless Elder McConkie’s heart and whatever crazy person decided to add it to the hymnbook but it’s ludicrous to assume it has any value musically. I’m a genius at loving good music, I’m tone deaf and crack people up with my voice, but my genius person is saying that song isn’t poetry or music. It’s like taking a preachy, boring conference talk and singing it to a boring tune. I guess, in a very real way, it epitomizes a lot of my experience as a Mormon in southern Utah, so maybe that’s the song I should pick. |
This is great. While the comments on my post went in one good direction, I didn’t get much response to my question about which hymns people recommend. Now I find you all over here! Thanks. |
“If You Could Hie To Kolob” and “This Earth Was Once A Garden Place”. As for “I Believe in Christ”, I found it a bit long when it came out, but — like Margaret — I’ve developed a soft spot in my heart for it as I get older; facing mortality has a way of doing that. As for long hymns in general, particularly those where we never sing the extra verses, I made a suggestion to my wife (ward music leader and Sacrament chorister) the other day: sometime try singing the first set of verses as the opening hymn and the remainder as the closing hymn. For example, this would work well for both “How Firm a Foundation” and “A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief”. Once could easily do with with “The Spirit of God” and “I Believe in Christ” (first two verses to open, last two verses to close) as well. She’s going to try it out (probably with “How Firm a Foundation”); I’ll let y’all know how it goes. ..bruce.. |
Thank you it will help me |
thank you for these |
bruce–I like that idea. |
The only hymn I can rock out to is “Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel”. When I was a kid our ward organist was a short, plump lady and the only time she ever cut loose playing during sacrament meeting was during PYSTTW. She would start slow and as we got to the chorus she would be swaying side to side, letting us all take a peek at her inner soulfulness. |
I wonder when will stop the war songs that like Onward Christian Soldiers. Also, I think our native Americans find the Book of Mormon Stories Primary song which the kids love, but beats to a tom-tom and has hand signs offensive. I think it should be quitely dropped. |
High on a Mountain Top Y’all can sing this in areas that have mountains, but for those of us who live in the plains, don’t expect to hear it. For me, I love “Come Ye Children of the Lord”, only because it’s the music to “Carmen Ohio”, whose verses I store in my scriptures and lustily sing instead. |
Gatoraide–I would be happy to drop the war songs, too (although I don’t think it is likely). Also, good luck with BoM Stories–I think the best we can do is to change the hand motions, because kids (and leaders) are very attached. queuno–really? I feel like we sing HoaMT alot, and why not? It is peppy and temple-oriented. An elder in my MTC district was related to the author and therefore chose this song EVERY TIME it was his turn–I was not sure how I would feel about it after 10 weeks, but I think it helped that we sang it in Japanese and I don’t anymore. |
My new favorite song is Roll With It, Steve Winwood |
I feel like I need to defend some favorites. I love “I Believe in Christ”! I wish we sang it more often! If your organist/chorister move too slowly, that’s not McConkie’s fault! (I am, however, APPALLED by the notion that The Spirit of God is “too boisterous for the temple.”) I like “Onward Christian Soldiers” too. And I have mixed feelings about saying this, because I’ve definitely had curmudgeonly moods where it annoyed me, but “Scatter Sunshine” has really hit the spot for me too on occasion. “Book of Mormon Stories” … can’t we just change the hand parts? The music is really fun (and I don’t think the “tomtom beat” should offend anyone). Listen to the Vocal Point version of it sometime. I would be ok with dropping the Utah-specific hymns, including even the milder ones like “For the Strength of the Hills.” I will note, though, that in Russia “High on a Mountain Top” is THE most popular hymn even though they don’t live in a mountainous area. My favorite hymn: currently “The Lord is My Light.” Before that, I think it was “How Great Thou Art.” |
I agree with you Palad that currently hold callings as the Ward Music Chair and the Choir Director, so just assign myself the duty of leading the choir in these numbers.” |
[...] Orwell, commenting on ESO’s post “LDS Hood” at Mormon Mentality: my personal opinion is that “I Believe in Christ” is one of the most tedious, ponderous, redundant, and mind-numbing hymns in existence. (Not to mention its length — it should never, ever be the closing hymn.) The fact that congregational hymns are always sung at 60, regardless of the metronome mark, only makes the situation worse. Nevertheless, this hymn is essential to LDS-hood because it reminds us all of the “eternal” part in eternal hell, prompting us to repent and be better people. [...] |
dsa |
