Some of those old songs are hard to forget as I absorbed them into the very fiber of my being while sleeping under a church pew. Sing me three words of a forgotten old song and the rest will come rushing back to my tongue. But yes, I like change and no one gets more weary of an overused song more than I do. Just this one request to all you "gifted" songwriters: Write songs with a melody I can hum. [when I forget the words] Write songs with words that I can understand. [should be a message there] Last but not least, write songs with a beat that I can get a hold of and clap to if I want. Now ... bring us something fresh!
Raven
Some of those old songs are hard to forget as I absorbed them into the very fiber of my being while sleeping under a church pew. Sing me three words of a forgotten old song and the rest will come rushing back to my tongue. But yes, I like change and no one gets more weary of an overused song more than I do. Just this one request to all you "gifted" songwriters: Write songs with a melody I can hum. [when I forget the words] Write songs with words that I can understand. [should be a message there] Last but not least, write songs with a beat that I can get a hold of and clap to if I want. Now ... bring us something fresh!
Raven
That's where I struggle with some of these newer songs.......I can't harmonize with them. I grew up on my mom's lap singing alto and if I can't harmonize then I'm lost............lol!
Not to mention the weird timing for some of the songs - - you get lost in worship and not watching the singer's mouth and blurt out a word two beats before everyone else does!
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Master of Science in Applied Disgruntled Religious Theorist Wrangling
PhD in Petulant Tantrum Quelling
Dean of the School of Hard Knocks
It's not just in church..... as a DJ I cannot begin to express how sick I am of about 10 songs that people (no matter the event) insist get played at every single event.
You can probably guess most of them: Roy Orbison -Pretty Woman, Village People -YMCA, B-52's -Loveshack, Bill Haley -Rock around the Clock..... To name a mere four.
At least for weddings, there's the obligatory Chicken Dance!!!
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
Our Pastor asks, no requires our Worship leaders to have sufficient prayer a week before the service so that on the Sunday previous to that service the overheads are picked, musicians and praise singers practice thier songs that week.
When service time rolls around & having about an hour before service the worship leader starts service, if the Spirit is moving, the worship leader should be sensitive to the leading of the Spirit and can stay with a particular song.
It is called being sensitive to the Holy Ghost & not singing our favourites to death.
That's weird that you say that, because some of the older people in our church were complaining a little about the "new" music being too WORDY! LOL!
Did you know that some of our most "precious" hymns were originally bar songs or country songs that were rewritten?
Music is a bridge that helps us "tune in" to God, it is a way to minister to the congregation, and its an avenue of praise. Therefore it doesn't matter if its the most newfangled thing on the market or a 300 year old hymn; what matters is whether it accomplishes one of those purposes.
Next time you hear a song that you don't like, stop and say to yourself: "It's not all about me. It's not all about me. It's about HIM."
If God is being glorified, hearts are being touched, worship and praise are being put forth and the Gospel is being shared...what is there to complain about?
Miss Brattfield,
Music IS a bridge that connects to the very soul of a man. In fact, music is one of the chief ways to move beyond 'flesh' and make a connection deep into the spirit of that individual.
While preaching overseas (Ethiopia stands out prominent in my mind) they would sing in a language we didn't remotely understand but all of the American crusade team would be alternately sobbing and rejoicing. Music is an amazingly powerful force used, not only in Christianity, but in most every instance of idol worship and 'dark' religions that go on today.
Two things in closing:
* First, you state that one should say, "It's not about me, It's not about me" and I agree to a point. But what is the deal with all the "Jesus is my boyfriend" songs that focus on US instead of on HIM? Many of the new Vineyard, Hillsong and even contemporary black choirs (among others) are doing songs that have little to do with God and a lot to do with "I, me, my, our and mine"
I love all kinds of music from black gospel to bluegrass and most everything in between... except Opera style! (Sorry, Hugh Rose) However, I think we're losing some precious things among us by forgetting some of those old song book songs. We still sing some 'older' songs from time to time and our Church loves it. However, my heart ached recently when I started on G. T. Haywood's "I See A Crimson Stream Of Blood" and turned to find that NOT ONE of my praise singers knew the song.
Sad indeed.
* Secondly, you say that many of our songs come from 'country' songs. I'm aware of that but there is also the 'flip side' of that coin. There are various country songs that were taken directly from Church songs. I know the woman who actually wrote "I Didn't Know God Made Honkey Tonk Angels"... to the tune of "Great Speckled Bird"!
I get such a kick out of this thread! Every point of view is here.
I'm with you though... I don't like to overuse songs... even good ones. Still, every now and then when you pull out one that was overused at one time, and it just strikes a chord.
I like a good mix in services. I don't like every single song being brand new so that the people in the pew don't know it and can't sing along. Because then, the song service isn't about them worshiping and reaching out... because they don't even know the words. I don't think that's fair to them.
I also don't think every service should be all old stuff either... I love a nice sensible mix... that's me... sensible.
So... how about "I feeeeel like praisin' praisin' him"
__________________ Mrs. LPW
Psalm 19:14
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
Some of those old songs are hard to forget as I absorbed them into the very fiber of my being while sleeping under a church pew. Sing me three words of a forgotten old song and the rest will come rushing back to my tongue. But yes, I like change and no one gets more weary of an overused song more than I do. Just this one request to all you "gifted" songwriters: Write songs with a melody I can hum. [when I forget the words] Write songs with words that I can understand. [should be a message there] Last but not least, write songs with a beat that I can get a hold of and clap to if I want. Now ... bring us something fresh!
Raven
Quote:
Originally Posted by rgcraig
That's where I struggle with some of these newer songs.......I can't harmonize with them. I grew up on my mom's lap singing alto and if I can't harmonize then I'm lost............lol!
Not to mention the weird timing for some of the songs - - you get lost in worship and not watching the singer's mouth and blurt out a word two beats before everyone else does!
My wife is a precious, praying, powerful Saint of God. Her number ONE complaint about Church is "Just every now and then... just sometimes... sing a song that I can sing harmony with instead of a jumbled cluster of words that say so little!"
In the newer P&W stuff the guitar is front and center.. whereas in years past the organ... and the keyboard... now it's the day of the guitar.
I like a mix... one song the guitar is carrying the song.. but not on every song. I think the old saying "too much of a good thing" is true... you can get sick of something, so changing it up often is great.
__________________ Mrs. LPW
Psalm 19:14
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
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