I think that the majority of the hymnal is grossly underused. Is it bad to say that I'm tired of some hymns and that I think they're oversung? Does anyone else feel that there is a pool of about 25 hymns that we sing?
I wanted to start a facebook group titled, "Mormons for hymn variety," but I held back. What do FB groups accomplish in the end anyway?
But who's with me?
What barely-used hymns should we add to our repertoire?
Personally I think we should add, Father This Hour Has Been One of Joy. My reasons are, however, irreverent in this case.
Seriously, what are some lesser-sung hymns that you want to add to church services?
7 comments:
I've found that each congregation seemingly has their pet hymns, that come up ALL the time. Maybe it's a symptom of a deeper fear of change. Or maybe the person who picks the hymns doesn't want to have one of those awkward moments when only people that read music are singing because nobody else knows the hymn.
With that in mind, I dig #82, For All the Saints. And I don't hear it much.
I've been impressed with my ward, we've sung a good mix of obscure and familiar since I joined it a few months ago. I think one reason is that we have several organists, and whoever is playing chooses the hymns. So it's 4 people choosing the hymns instead of just one.
A few obscure hymns I love:
As the Shadows Fall (but it's a melancholy one meant to be sung in the evening--and we never have evening hymns anymore, sigh)
Also
18 The Voice of God Again Is Heard
and
12 Twas Witnessed in the Morning Sky
Because contrary to popular belief, there are some fabulous songs about the restoration--we don't ALWAYS have to sing Joseph Smith's first prayer (not that I don't love that hymn)
I also LOVE the words to 186 Oh What Songs of the Heart. I never noticed how fantastic the words are until I was far away from home and reading the words (the tune doesn't do much for me, though the motab choir has started singing a lovely arrangement of it)
Well I'll stop here, though there are many more to be appreciated ;)
There are some over-done hymns I wouldn't mind never singing again. Then there are a few that I dearly love. There are some lesser known ones that I'm glad are lesser known.
I fully support more variety in the hymn choice at sacrament meeting. One mystery hymn a week isn't a bad idea if the musicians and the congregation are up for it.
Is it because it is so short that you want it added to the rotation?:)
I agree wtih the Twas Witnessed and also add O Savior, Thou who Wearest (although some think it is merely an Easter song, I think it works for a sacrament song anytime).
I also meant to say that a lot of hymns that we repeatedly sing can sound fresh and new if sing them at the temp markings indicated in the hymnal.
as the ward music chairwhatever it's my job to pick the hymns for sacrament meeting. my bishop was quite firm when he said that he didn't want any of those "unknown" hymns. Phooey. I told him that if I've heard the tab choir sing it then we could sing it as well.He didn't argue much beyond that point. One of my favorite books i've read since moving to Tooele is about the stories behind the hymns. It's really awesome. My favorite not heard that often him is My redeemer lives. The text was written by President Hinckley and the music was written by a good friend of his from college. So many will sing 134 and 136 but 135 just sings to my soul.
I'm with you! I love "Secret Prayer" but have really only ever sung it in Spanish. That said, the Spanish hymnal lacks "If You Could Hie to Kolob."
Post a Comment