Sunday, November 6, 2016

MONDAY DIARY: ALMOST EXCRUCIATINGLY TRUE STORIES: NOT THAT THEY'RE BAD

On songs I don't necessarily need to hear at Mass anymore.


6 comments:

Anonymous said...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYgvN9_kMR8

Chris P. said...

That's #3 on my list of songs that keep me up at night after "City of God" and "We are Called." When Tiffany was near the end of pregnancy and miserable I'd put "We are Called" on my phone, hold it up to her belly and promise Maria that I'd stop if she came out.

Although the most physical pain I've ever experienced in Church is when my wife elbowed me in the side after I asked her "Who died?" during an "On Eagles Wings" session.

Anonymous said...

Hi Father -

I have a list of songs that make Baby Jesus cry. "All Are Welcome" (kindgergarten marching song), "Gather Us In" (sea shanty), "Song of the Body of Christ" (wishy-wash and blech), and others. The lyrics are about us, and not God. The tunes are insipid and annoying. They create an earworm in my brain that I have to listen to over and over again for hours.

If I never again hear "Amazing Grace", it's okay with me. We heard it too much after 9/11, often accompanied by whiny bagpipes (I love bagpipes, but they always sound like a dirge with "AG"). I know the composer was inspired, but it always makes me feel depressed and sad.

They don't have to be happy songs, because that isn't always appropriate. (Some sad songs, like "Stabat Mater", are really very beautiful.) And some of the newer hymns are really good (I like "City of God", "You Are Mine", "Sing to the Mountains", etc.)

If we are truly worshipping in the presence of the Trinity and all the angels and saints, can't we sing the very best?!

My rant is concluded. Sue from St. Bernard

Matt W said...

I don't know where to start, so I'll leave you with this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhYuA0Cz8ls
(This guy must have studied with the St. Louis Jesuits...)

Anonymous said...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztNJecyEm9Q
AAHrgh...
Let's jettison this hymn, too! "I MYSELF AM THE BREAD OF LIFE"(?!?!) Heavens to Betsy... Thomas Aquinas would turn over in his grave...

Pat said...

And, "Let us break bread together on our knees. Let us drink wine together on our knees."

1. We are not receiving bread and wine.

2. It's amusing to think about doing these things "on our knees."

3. Kneeling at the reception of Holy Communion is not practiced very much these days. Is this song advocating for the return of this practice?