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Print Red, white and blue. The American flag. The Stars and Stripes. Standing in reverence as the national anthem is sung. Fireworks on July fourth. What does that all bring to mind? Patriotism. This CD, Stand Ye Ready has a plethora of patriotic songs; more than I have ever heard on one album. The West Point Cadet Glee Club has provided entertainment for Americans young and old in almost every state for over 100 years. With a motto of “No fun without music, no music without fun!” they have become one of the best-known college choirs in the country. First organized in 1903 with 25 singers, the group now has 80 male and female singers from all four cadet classes. They present over 50 performances annually in some of the country’s most prestigious venues as well as Canada, France, and Ireland. “Men of Freedom,” “The Longest Day,” and “Into the Fire” are all the patriotic, marching-type songs. They make you want to stand at attention and salute the flag and be proud that you are an American. “Men of Freedom” is done a capella, as is “Rise Up, O Men of God,” another stirring number about fighting for the right. “On Great Lone Hills” is a hymn from Finlandia. It is done with a pipe organ and is a very majestic sounding song. It sounds like something you might hear in a solemn place of worship, unlike most of our Apostolic churches. “Lest We Forget” talks about the battles and struggles that others have faced and their lives that they have given for our freedom today:
See how the little children
play “Mansions of the Lord” is a solemn number about fallen soldiers that have gone to their rest. Done a capella, the lyrics may be a bit gloomy but the song is beautifully done by the choir.
To fallen soldiers let us
sing “Via Dolorosa” is the pathway that Jesus walked to Calvary, thus it’s also called the “way of suffering.” (I remember Sandy Patti also did this one in the 80s.) It’s a beautiful song and so heart-wrenching that it could bring tears to your eyes. The song tells the story of the journey to Calvary and how the crowd acted that day. Just to read the words gets me emotional about His sacrifice for me and you. The soloist also sings part of the song in Spanish:
Down the Via Dolorosa in
Jerusalem that day I would not normally buy a CD of this genre but I did enjoy listening to it. It could provide great background music if you are having a July 4th program at your church or some other type of patriotic celebration. In the meantime, if you forget what the best of America is all about, you don’t want to miss this project.
ninetyandnine.com © 2005, Lowell Hansen ---------- Lowell Hansen has lived in the great Northwest (God’s country) for almost 25 years. He needs more sunshine than the Northwest has to offer. California sure looks inviting. |
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