And the Nominees Are . . .
I have songs I would like to nominate for the hymnal. If we actually still used a hymnal that is. Rather I have songs that are modern but deserve hymnal status. I am judging them on the following merits*:
*I do not have the authority to classify songs. I haven't taken a class and I don't have my doctorate in Hymnology. I'm just a gal with an active opinion and the ability to type 70 WPMs on ninetyandnine.
Merit #1: POETRY
The songs have expansive language and majestic prose. This is not recyclable music that sounds like volume seven in the Praise series, with multiple uses of Praise, Hallelujah or Worship.
Merit #2: INCLUSION
Folks born before 1976 can enjoy these songs. The songs are singable to everyone.
Merit #3: CUZ I SAID SO
It's my week to post so if you disagree leave a comment and address it to Courtney!
Drumroll Please
Chris Tomlin’s “How Great Is Our God” -- a perfect example of fusing achaic language with modern worship style. Our church sings How Great Thou Art at the end and they blend beautifully. Congratulations Chris, we will plant a tree in your honor. Or, we'll at least keep singing your songs.
Mercy Me’s “I Can Only Imagine” -- Not my favorite, but according to my husband it meets the criteria. It has been far reaching for music lover's of all genre's. It is country enough. It is gospel enough. And it makes for great sign dramas. BONUS: It talks about heaven.
“Awesome God” -- Rich Mullins put it on the map. Michael W. Smith brought it back and it's been given the remix several times over. I'll admit, lyrics like "when he rolls up his sleeves he ain't just puttin' on the ritz" may not jive with Merit #1, but the chorus makes up for it.
If you can think of more to be added to the list, leave a comment!
*I do not have the authority to classify songs. I haven't taken a class and I don't have my doctorate in Hymnology. I'm just a gal with an active opinion and the ability to type 70 WPMs on ninetyandnine.
Merit #1: POETRY
The songs have expansive language and majestic prose. This is not recyclable music that sounds like volume seven in the Praise series, with multiple uses of Praise, Hallelujah or Worship.
Merit #2: INCLUSION
Folks born before 1976 can enjoy these songs. The songs are singable to everyone.
Merit #3: CUZ I SAID SO
It's my week to post so if you disagree leave a comment and address it to Courtney!
Drumroll Please
Chris Tomlin’s “How Great Is Our God” -- a perfect example of fusing achaic language with modern worship style. Our church sings How Great Thou Art at the end and they blend beautifully. Congratulations Chris, we will plant a tree in your honor. Or, we'll at least keep singing your songs.
Mercy Me’s “I Can Only Imagine” -- Not my favorite, but according to my husband it meets the criteria. It has been far reaching for music lover's of all genre's. It is country enough. It is gospel enough. And it makes for great sign dramas. BONUS: It talks about heaven.
“Awesome God” -- Rich Mullins put it on the map. Michael W. Smith brought it back and it's been given the remix several times over. I'll admit, lyrics like "when he rolls up his sleeves he ain't just puttin' on the ritz" may not jive with Merit #1, but the chorus makes up for it.
If you can think of more to be added to the list, leave a comment!
posted by kdc at
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
5 Comments:
Courteny,
Good idea! I think your criteria are good - expansive language that includes our doctrines would nice. On Merit #2 - I would question "I Can Only Imagine" since it's pretty syncopated and older folks often have trouble with that. But Merit #3 kinda takes care of that! :)
I personally don't like "How Great Is Our God" - I think the trinitarian verse ruins it. Here's my beef- When some visitor comes to our church and we're singing about the trinity, well, they just think we believe like everyone else. Why don't we celebrate God's ONENESS?
I think "Above All" by Michael W. Smith would be a possiblity for your hymnal - it really tells the story of our salvation. Or even "Blessed Be The Name of the Lord" because it talks of suffering and realistic life expectations. Although it might be questionable because of the wide melodic range.
I'm just rambling......but you do have a great idea here!
AA
Who actually sings the verses to "How great is our God?"
I love "How great is our God" and think the verses actually reinforce Oneness. "He is Father, Spirit, Son- the Lion and the Lamb" Sounds like one mighty God incarnate to me! We always sing the verses.
I love all three choices---I have to tell ya, "How Great is our God" brings everyone to their feet in our church, young & old alike.
Thanx for a pretty sensible take on FAIRLY modern music. I think my criteria would be CLOSE to yours: The words should make sense AND poetically rhyme (if at all possible -- If Dottie Rambo and Gloria Gaither could/can make the words rhyme while writing PROFOUND meaningful songs, so can anybody else).
The music should at LEAST be pleasant to the ear: otherwise it's just words set to noise.
The songs should be moving to the spirit and not just REPEATED over and over and over for a reaction (the 7/11 or 24/7 songs).
We sing the verses to "How Great Is Our God" (amending the trinitarian lines just a little to sound MORE "oneness") and then segue into "How Great Thou Art." The church is usually on their feet worshipping before it's over.
Not ALL new music is bad, and not all old music is good.
Dennis Dykes
Texas
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