"Yeah, what the hell, I'm Pope."
March 3, 2015 6:50 PM Subscribe
So what is Stephen Colbert doing between TV gigs? Two things: One, growing awesome facial hair and Two,
being an awesome Catholic (with Father James Martin).
As a non-religious person, I will say that was adorable.
posted by transient at 7:09 PM on March 3, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by transient at 7:09 PM on March 3, 2015 [4 favorites]
I watched this yesterday and since then I have had "Here I am, Lord" going through my head all day. I swear I was even singing it on the streetcar. What does it say about me that I only sing (aloud or in my head) God's verse?
Also, after then having looked this up on youtube, I have come to the conclusion that despite all its faults and all the reasons I have no desire to go to mass, Catholicism has the best hymns. Be not Afraid; Prayer of St. Francis; Here I am, Lord; Sing a New Song; God Created Earth and Heaven; and of course If I Were a Fuzzy-Wuzzy Bear. All the best stuff.
I the Lord of snow and rain, have borne my people's pain. I have wept for love of them. They turn away. I will break their hearts of stone; give them hearts for love alone. Who will speak my word to them? Whom shall I send?
I'm never getting that song out of my head.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 7:12 PM on March 3, 2015 [6 favorites]
Also, after then having looked this up on youtube, I have come to the conclusion that despite all its faults and all the reasons I have no desire to go to mass, Catholicism has the best hymns. Be not Afraid; Prayer of St. Francis; Here I am, Lord; Sing a New Song; God Created Earth and Heaven; and of course If I Were a Fuzzy-Wuzzy Bear. All the best stuff.
I the Lord of snow and rain, have borne my people's pain. I have wept for love of them. They turn away. I will break their hearts of stone; give them hearts for love alone. Who will speak my word to them? Whom shall I send?
I'm never getting that song out of my head.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 7:12 PM on March 3, 2015 [6 favorites]
Father Martin is such a great ambassador for the Catholic Church that he can *almost* make me forget why I'm lapsed.
posted by sallybrown at 7:13 PM on March 3, 2015 [9 favorites]
posted by sallybrown at 7:13 PM on March 3, 2015 [9 favorites]
Be not Afraid
♪♫ I cooome beeefoooore you allllwaaays ♪♫
posted by leotrotsky at 7:14 PM on March 3, 2015 [8 favorites]
♪♫ I cooome beeefoooore you allllwaaays ♪♫
posted by leotrotsky at 7:14 PM on March 3, 2015 [8 favorites]
Oh, dear, that facial hair. Oh, no, Stephen. No.
posted by desjardins at 7:16 PM on March 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by desjardins at 7:16 PM on March 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
Be not Afraid; Prayer of St. Francis; Here I am, Lord; Sing a New Song; God Created Earth and Heaven; and of course If I Were a Fuzzy-Wuzzy Bear
Lord of the Dance (non-Michael Flatley); One Bread, One Body; On Eagle's Wings; For All the Saints; Salve Regina; You Are Mine
posted by sallybrown at 7:17 PM on March 3, 2015 [2 favorites]
Lord of the Dance (non-Michael Flatley); One Bread, One Body; On Eagle's Wings; For All the Saints; Salve Regina; You Are Mine
posted by sallybrown at 7:17 PM on March 3, 2015 [2 favorites]
What a charming interview! Stephen Colbert is so thoughtful.
If anyone is interested in seeing an older, full version of his liturgical dance, here it is. Not the best quality, but the best that's available.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 7:18 PM on March 3, 2015 [3 favorites]
If anyone is interested in seeing an older, full version of his liturgical dance, here it is. Not the best quality, but the best that's available.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 7:18 PM on March 3, 2015 [3 favorites]
Is Gladly the Cross-Eyed Bear a Catholic hymn?
posted by telstar at 7:21 PM on March 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by telstar at 7:21 PM on March 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
My mother is a huge Colbert fan and a huge Catholic so I'll need to forward this to her. As a lapsed Catholic, this is also the kind of stuff she keeps sending me to encourage me to be religious again. Especially now that Francis is pope instead of Benedict and there's more of a sense of hope for reform in the lefty sections of the church.
I've never heard of Fr. James Martin before, but his mannerisms are exactly the same as every faculty member I've met from my hometown's Catholic university.
posted by pugg at 7:26 PM on March 3, 2015 [2 favorites]
I've never heard of Fr. James Martin before, but his mannerisms are exactly the same as every faculty member I've met from my hometown's Catholic university.
posted by pugg at 7:26 PM on March 3, 2015 [2 favorites]
SallyBrown: Oh it's a hymn-off, is it? Challenge accepted!
Father I have Sinned; Follow Me; Yahweh; I Know You are Near; Though the Mountains May Fall; Glory and Praise to Our God.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 7:34 PM on March 3, 2015
Father I have Sinned; Follow Me; Yahweh; I Know You are Near; Though the Mountains May Fall; Glory and Praise to Our God.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 7:34 PM on March 3, 2015
Colbert is rocking the beard in Mindy Kaling's edit booth (and playing a priest what's more).
posted by John Shaft at 7:36 PM on March 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by John Shaft at 7:36 PM on March 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
Love Colbert, especially when he talks about his faith. This isn't someone blind to the Problem of Pain, but someone who struggles with the contradictions of it: "What [my mother] taught me is that the deliverance God offers you from pain is not no pain — it’s that the pain is actually a gift. What’s the option? God doesn’t really give you another choice.”
posted by jpolchlopek at 7:37 PM on March 3, 2015 [5 favorites]
posted by jpolchlopek at 7:37 PM on March 3, 2015 [5 favorites]
Oh it's a hymn-off, is it? Challenge accepted!
"City of God"! Boom! How could I forget that one! ♫ "May our tears be turned INTO DANCING!" ♫
(Help, I've fallen into the black hole of YouTubed Catholic hymns)
posted by sallybrown at 7:39 PM on March 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
"City of God"! Boom! How could I forget that one! ♫ "May our tears be turned INTO DANCING!" ♫
(Help, I've fallen into the black hole of YouTubed Catholic hymns)
posted by sallybrown at 7:39 PM on March 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
Catholicism has the best hymns
This is a controversial claim.
posted by straight at 7:46 PM on March 3, 2015 [8 favorites]
This is a controversial claim.
posted by straight at 7:46 PM on March 3, 2015 [8 favorites]
"City of God"! Boom! How could I forget that one! ♫ "May our tears be turned INTO DANCING!" ♫
Man, you totally win. I was going to knock you and straight both down with Take, Take, Take Off Your Shoes, but it looks like the guy who wrote that isn't Catholic. We used to sing it all the time when I was in Catholic school, though. I can't find a video.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 7:55 PM on March 3, 2015
Man, you totally win. I was going to knock you and straight both down with Take, Take, Take Off Your Shoes, but it looks like the guy who wrote that isn't Catholic. We used to sing it all the time when I was in Catholic school, though. I can't find a video.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 7:55 PM on March 3, 2015
Hold up, that's not "facial hair," that's a COLBEARD.
posted by argonauta at 8:17 PM on March 3, 2015 [19 favorites]
posted by argonauta at 8:17 PM on March 3, 2015 [19 favorites]
The brother of the founder of Methodism was a super popular hymn-composer of the 19th century.
Mostly, I love hymns with awe-inspiring tunes, like "Oh Holy Night", or rollicking marches like "Onward Christian Soldiers" (the latter one really doesn't go over well at shul).
posted by jb at 8:41 PM on March 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
Mostly, I love hymns with awe-inspiring tunes, like "Oh Holy Night", or rollicking marches like "Onward Christian Soldiers" (the latter one really doesn't go over well at shul).
posted by jb at 8:41 PM on March 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
sallybrown: "One Bread, One Body; On Eagle's Wings; For All the Saints; Salve Regina; You Are Mine"
Taste and See.
Man, those Jesuits wrote some hymns after V2, didn't they?
posted by notsnot at 8:46 PM on March 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
Taste and See.
Man, those Jesuits wrote some hymns after V2, didn't they?
posted by notsnot at 8:46 PM on March 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
The brother of the founder of Methodism was a super popular hymn-composer of the 19th century.
Methodists call themselvs "The Signing Congregation," they have a long history of hymns, mostly because in the earliest days, the churchgoers were all illiterate and couldn't read the bible, but you could indoctrinate them with songs, if you could get them to repeat them over and over. Unfortunately the songs are all dreary, depressing dirges.
posted by charlie don't surf at 9:15 PM on March 3, 2015 [2 favorites]
Methodists call themselvs "The Signing Congregation," they have a long history of hymns, mostly because in the earliest days, the churchgoers were all illiterate and couldn't read the bible, but you could indoctrinate them with songs, if you could get them to repeat them over and over. Unfortunately the songs are all dreary, depressing dirges.
posted by charlie don't surf at 9:15 PM on March 3, 2015 [2 favorites]
You are going to be very unhappy after I tell you that -- in MY brain, at least -- "Here I Am, Lord" goes like this:
Here I am, Lord
Is it I, Lord
Who was bringing up three very lovely girls...
posted by St. Hubbins at 9:25 PM on March 3, 2015 [21 favorites]
Here I am, Lord
Is it I, Lord
Who was bringing up three very lovely girls...
posted by St. Hubbins at 9:25 PM on March 3, 2015 [21 favorites]
I think most of the hymns mentioned here come from the St. Louis Jesuits, who were sort of The Beatles of singable, guitar-y Catholic music from the late 60s to early 80s. As students at a Jesuit high school in St. Louis from 78-82, we sang the hell out of those songs. I've switched church teams since then, but I still like singing those to myself. Thanks for reminding me of some that I haven't heard in way too long.
posted by NumberSix at 9:33 PM on March 3, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by NumberSix at 9:33 PM on March 3, 2015 [2 favorites]
Following the rabbit hole of NumberSix's link, I've learned that U.S. Catholics aren't supposed to say Yahweh in church anymore. I can't find any similar directives to Canadian Catholics, so I trust that "Yahweh, I know you are near" remains un-mutilated in Canada.
I sort of get that it's the sensitive thing to do since observant Jews would be sensitive to people saying it all the time, but it seems like the solution there would be to say it only in church , since there aren't likely to be many Jews at a Catholic mass (barring wedding and funeral masses...maybe the occasional baptism).
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 9:50 PM on March 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
I sort of get that it's the sensitive thing to do since observant Jews would be sensitive to people saying it all the time, but it seems like the solution there would be to say it only in church , since there aren't likely to be many Jews at a Catholic mass (barring wedding and funeral masses...maybe the occasional baptism).
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 9:50 PM on March 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
most of the hymns mentioned here come from the St. Louis Jesuits, who were sort of The Beatles of singable, guitar-y Catholic music from the late 60s to early 80s.
And then there are a couple of dudes from Minnesota named Haugen and Haas, who between themselves penned "Gather Us In, " "Eye Has Not Seen, " "We Remember," "All Are Welcome," "Blest Are They," "We Are Called," "Now We Remain," "The Name of God," and "Glory to God." If the St. Louis Jesuits were the Beatles, these guys were Gerry Goffin & Carole King.
posted by Iridic at 10:21 PM on March 3, 2015 [3 favorites]
And then there are a couple of dudes from Minnesota named Haugen and Haas, who between themselves penned "Gather Us In, " "Eye Has Not Seen, " "We Remember," "All Are Welcome," "Blest Are They," "We Are Called," "Now We Remain," "The Name of God," and "Glory to God." If the St. Louis Jesuits were the Beatles, these guys were Gerry Goffin & Carole King.
posted by Iridic at 10:21 PM on March 3, 2015 [3 favorites]
Methodists call themselvs "The Signing Congregation," … because they prefer ASL?
posted by five fresh fish at 10:45 PM on March 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by five fresh fish at 10:45 PM on March 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
Penguin, thanks for the return rabbit hole on the Yahweh thing. That's a shame, not just for losing some great songs, but for what seem like untoward & poorly-informed motives in that directive. Since I now attend a church (UU) where many folks contort themselves to avoid even saying the word "God", I suppose I don't really have a dyslexic dog in that fight. Still, as you say, it's unlikely to impinge on those who'd be offended, and it can be enriching for those who feel it's useful.
And Iridic, yes, there are some great songs in those folks' portfolios, too. I'd add Michael Joncas as well. My "StL-Js as Beatles" remark was definitely influenced by a long soak in their music at St. Louis University High School, at a time in my life when their stuff really spoke to me, and the home-field advantage they had.
posted by NumberSix at 10:48 PM on March 3, 2015
And Iridic, yes, there are some great songs in those folks' portfolios, too. I'd add Michael Joncas as well. My "StL-Js as Beatles" remark was definitely influenced by a long soak in their music at St. Louis University High School, at a time in my life when their stuff really spoke to me, and the home-field advantage they had.
posted by NumberSix at 10:48 PM on March 3, 2015
Unfortunately the songs are all dreary, depressing dirges.
not all Wesley hymns.
posted by straight at 11:52 PM on March 3, 2015
not all Wesley hymns.
posted by straight at 11:52 PM on March 3, 2015
What an impossibly charming video. Stephen Colbert gains such joy and strength from his faith.
Also, I dig the beard.
...
Methodists call themselvs "The Signing Congregation," they have a long history of hymns, mostly because in the earliest days, the churchgoers were all illiterate and couldn't read the bible, but you could indoctrinate them with songs, if you could get them to repeat them over and over. Unfortunately the songs are all dreary, depressing dirges.
In 2004, a friend and I once were chatting with David Tibet of Current 93. He asked us, off-hand, what our religious backgrounds were. When my friend said that he was the Methodist son of a Methodist preacher, David merrily chimed, "oh, such wonderful music!"
I didn't understand the significance at the time, but my friend certainly did!
posted by Sticherbeast at 2:57 AM on March 4, 2015 [3 favorites]
Also, I dig the beard.
...
Methodists call themselvs "The Signing Congregation," they have a long history of hymns, mostly because in the earliest days, the churchgoers were all illiterate and couldn't read the bible, but you could indoctrinate them with songs, if you could get them to repeat them over and over. Unfortunately the songs are all dreary, depressing dirges.
In 2004, a friend and I once were chatting with David Tibet of Current 93. He asked us, off-hand, what our religious backgrounds were. When my friend said that he was the Methodist son of a Methodist preacher, David merrily chimed, "oh, such wonderful music!"
I didn't understand the significance at the time, but my friend certainly did!
posted by Sticherbeast at 2:57 AM on March 4, 2015 [3 favorites]
I have come to the conclusion that despite all its faults and all the reasons I have no desire to go to mass, Catholicism has the best hymns.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 10:12 PM on March 3
The African-American Church Tradition would like to have a word with you.
posted by magstheaxe at 5:00 AM on March 4, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 10:12 PM on March 3
The African-American Church Tradition would like to have a word with you.
posted by magstheaxe at 5:00 AM on March 4, 2015 [4 favorites]
In 2004, a friend and I once were chatting with David Tibet of Current 93. He asked us, off-hand, what our religious backgrounds were. When my friend said that he was the Methodist son of a Methodist preacher, David merrily chimed, "oh, such wonderful music!"
I didn't understand the significance at the time, but my friend certainly did!
posted by Sticherbeast at 5:57 AM on March 4
What's the line from the old hymn? "I'll tell you who the Lord loves best--it is the shouting Methodist!"
posted by magstheaxe at 5:08 AM on March 4, 2015
I didn't understand the significance at the time, but my friend certainly did!
posted by Sticherbeast at 5:57 AM on March 4
What's the line from the old hymn? "I'll tell you who the Lord loves best--it is the shouting Methodist!"
posted by magstheaxe at 5:08 AM on March 4, 2015
Oh we're doing hymns? Even though it tends to be performed by some random TV-show winner these days, hearing "Abide With Me" sung before the FA Cup Final at Wembley still gets me most times.
Years ago I stumbled across a recording of 92,000 people singing it in 1927 before the Cardiff vs Arsenal Final. Genuinely spine-tingling stuff.
Even if Cardiff did go on to beat Arsenal. Boo.
posted by garius at 5:24 AM on March 4, 2015 [3 favorites]
Years ago I stumbled across a recording of 92,000 people singing it in 1927 before the Cardiff vs Arsenal Final. Genuinely spine-tingling stuff.
Even if Cardiff did go on to beat Arsenal. Boo.
posted by garius at 5:24 AM on March 4, 2015 [3 favorites]
The people posting "On Eagle's Wings" as an example of Catholic hymn writing are undercover Protestants trying to discredit the church, right?
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 5:33 AM on March 4, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 5:33 AM on March 4, 2015 [1 favorite]
Lord of the Dance is great but On Eagle's Wings? Funerals are always tough but I don't truly hate them unless we sing On Eagle's Wings.
This Is My Father's World and Holy, Holy, Holy are the best, incidentally. Everyone will sing these at my funeral because fuck On Eagle's Wings is why (also I'm Episcopalian).
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 5:37 AM on March 4, 2015
This Is My Father's World and Holy, Holy, Holy are the best, incidentally. Everyone will sing these at my funeral because fuck On Eagle's Wings is why (also I'm Episcopalian).
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 5:37 AM on March 4, 2015
Ooh! Ooh! Rehearsal was just last night! I play tuba and my favorite is "Priase to you oh Christ our Savior" because I wrote a booming tuba line for it and the awesome alternate set of lyrics:
Stomping on the heads of the heathens,
killing their families,
burning down their homes!
Take their stuff and give it to the Pope.
Praise to you Lord O' Prince of Peace!
posted by charred husk at 6:23 AM on March 4, 2015 [1 favorite]
Stomping on the heads of the heathens,
killing their families,
burning down their homes!
Take their stuff and give it to the Pope.
Praise to you Lord O' Prince of Peace!
posted by charred husk at 6:23 AM on March 4, 2015 [1 favorite]
The African-American Church Tradition would like to have a word with you.
Those, and many others, are wonderful to listen to, but I don't feel like I could really sing along. Hymns are for singing along.
I like On Eagle's Wings, but I thought it was a protestant song, for some reason.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 6:23 AM on March 4, 2015
Those, and many others, are wonderful to listen to, but I don't feel like I could really sing along. Hymns are for singing along.
I like On Eagle's Wings, but I thought it was a protestant song, for some reason.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 6:23 AM on March 4, 2015
As excellent as he was as "Stephen Colbert", it increasingly feels like doing late night tv is a massive waste of his knowledge, skills, and gifts. I think he has a lot more to offer. Like, to humanity.
posted by dry white toast at 6:40 AM on March 4, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by dry white toast at 6:40 AM on March 4, 2015 [4 favorites]
Ok, so my mother LOVES On Eagle's Wings. Like, hands down best Catholic hymn in the universe to her. To the point where, when picking hymns for my wedding, she almost burst into tears when the musical director pointed out it's mostly saved for funerals and inappropriate for wedding ceremonies and wouldn't play it. (we played it during dinner at the reception and got weird looks).
Thanks for getting Salve Regina stuck in my head, jerks.
posted by Suffocating Kitty at 6:44 AM on March 4, 2015 [1 favorite]
Thanks for getting Salve Regina stuck in my head, jerks.
posted by Suffocating Kitty at 6:44 AM on March 4, 2015 [1 favorite]
The brother of the founder of Methodism was a super popular hymn-composer of the 19th century.
I once attended Palm Sunday services at Wesley's Chapel in London. The church historian took any interested parties on a tour afterwards, and it was a huge thrill to see Charles Wesley's organ in a side chapel. It still plays, and is still used.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 7:15 AM on March 4, 2015
I once attended Palm Sunday services at Wesley's Chapel in London. The church historian took any interested parties on a tour afterwards, and it was a huge thrill to see Charles Wesley's organ in a side chapel. It still plays, and is still used.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 7:15 AM on March 4, 2015
Imma let y'all finish, but this is the best hymn and performance of all time.
seriously though, the Methodist church has the best hymns. It's a denomination created by hymn-singing!
posted by LooseFilter at 7:40 AM on March 4, 2015 [1 favorite]
seriously though, the Methodist church has the best hymns. It's a denomination created by hymn-singing!
posted by LooseFilter at 7:40 AM on March 4, 2015 [1 favorite]
These are all ear-catchy tunes, but I'm going to just lay Sing of the Lord's Goodness on the table and walk away. I dare you not to whistle that one all day.
posted by Liesl at 7:41 AM on March 4, 2015
posted by Liesl at 7:41 AM on March 4, 2015
Imma let y'all finish, but this is the best hymn and performance of all time.
OMG. What happened there? I assume, if I take him at his apparent word that he's a well-known, or at least in-demand perfomer, that something must have happened. Did the piano player play in a key he couldn't sing or...? Something happened, right?
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 7:47 AM on March 4, 2015 [1 favorite]
OMG. What happened there? I assume, if I take him at his apparent word that he's a well-known, or at least in-demand perfomer, that something must have happened. Did the piano player play in a key he couldn't sing or...? Something happened, right?
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 7:47 AM on March 4, 2015 [1 favorite]
Was that…Kevin Kline cosplay?
posted by wenestvedt at 9:34 AM on March 4, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by wenestvedt at 9:34 AM on March 4, 2015 [1 favorite]
No one swears like a Jesuit priest.
Even Catholic priests make the 'Catholics don't know the bible' joke!
posted by Mick at 1:29 PM on March 4, 2015 [1 favorite]
Even Catholic priests make the 'Catholics don't know the bible' joke!
posted by Mick at 1:29 PM on March 4, 2015 [1 favorite]
>Unfortunately the songs are all dreary, depressing dirges.
not all Wesley hymns.
Oh sure they are. I am an ex-Methodist in a community where Methodists are just one step away from Mennonites. My grandparents were Old Order Amish, and singing is the only "art" allowed, and only that because of hymns. And they can't be lively because that would be indecent, it might lead to dancing. So in my town, church was like going to a funeral every Sunday, and the kids sunday school classes were like choir practices, where I was constantly in trouble because I absolutely refused to sing a single note. I started refusing to go to Sunday School when I was about 9 or 10. So my parents sent me to a christian camp each summer. A few years ago when he retired, my dad gave me a folder with some personal records, I did not know the summer camp sent him a report card. Under the category "Deportment," every single year, it says, "Charles refuses to sing hymns during chapel services." LOL. Is it any wonder I rejected Methodism and joined a buddhist temple?
Sure you can jazz up a hymn and turn it into a carnival tune, like three of your links by the same band. But as written, they are dreary as all hell. There are plenty of religious traditions of great music, but Methodism ain't one of them. It's music for illiterate peasants, to teach them their miserable lives were part of god's plan.
posted by charlie don't surf at 2:49 PM on March 4, 2015
not all Wesley hymns.
Oh sure they are. I am an ex-Methodist in a community where Methodists are just one step away from Mennonites. My grandparents were Old Order Amish, and singing is the only "art" allowed, and only that because of hymns. And they can't be lively because that would be indecent, it might lead to dancing. So in my town, church was like going to a funeral every Sunday, and the kids sunday school classes were like choir practices, where I was constantly in trouble because I absolutely refused to sing a single note. I started refusing to go to Sunday School when I was about 9 or 10. So my parents sent me to a christian camp each summer. A few years ago when he retired, my dad gave me a folder with some personal records, I did not know the summer camp sent him a report card. Under the category "Deportment," every single year, it says, "Charles refuses to sing hymns during chapel services." LOL. Is it any wonder I rejected Methodism and joined a buddhist temple?
Sure you can jazz up a hymn and turn it into a carnival tune, like three of your links by the same band. But as written, they are dreary as all hell. There are plenty of religious traditions of great music, but Methodism ain't one of them. It's music for illiterate peasants, to teach them their miserable lives were part of god's plan.
posted by charlie don't surf at 2:49 PM on March 4, 2015
This was wonderful.
I'm not at all a religious person, nor do I come from a religious family. But my grandfather was a great lover of old Southern hymns (he loved "That Evening Sun" and "I'll Fly Away"). I've found gems in all sorts of denominations. I'm particularly partial to this one (Full disclosure: I sang it in High School Choir) which is a Sacred Harp tune.
posted by thivaia at 4:12 PM on March 4, 2015
I'm not at all a religious person, nor do I come from a religious family. But my grandfather was a great lover of old Southern hymns (he loved "That Evening Sun" and "I'll Fly Away"). I've found gems in all sorts of denominations. I'm particularly partial to this one (Full disclosure: I sang it in High School Choir) which is a Sacred Harp tune.
posted by thivaia at 4:12 PM on March 4, 2015
charlie don't surf, I'm sorry you were raised among people who sang that way, but I don't think that's the definitive Wesleyan tradition. John Wesley himself wrote in the introduction to his hymnal:
posted by straight at 10:59 AM on March 5, 2015 [1 favorite]
Sing Lustily – and with good courage. Beware of singing as if you were half-dead or half-asleep; but lift up your voice with strength. Be no more afraid of your voice now, nor more ashamed of its being heard, than when you sang the songs of Satan...This way of singing Wesley's hymns is as old or older than the tradition you knew. You might not like it, but it's hardly dreary.
Sing in time – whatever time is sung, be sure to keep with it. Do not run before and do not stay behind it; but attend closely to the leading voices and move therewith as exactly as you can and take care not to sing too slow. This drawling way naturally steals on all who are lazy; and it is high time to drive it out from among us and sing all our tunes just as quick as we did at first.
posted by straight at 10:59 AM on March 5, 2015 [1 favorite]
I went to a Baptist primary school and occasionally attended Baptist services, and I've yet to find any other denomination that can beat them for roof-raising when hymn-singing time comes. The church that was attached to my school had a Sinspiration once a month, and your feet didn't stop tapping for days afterward.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 10:48 AM on March 6, 2015
posted by The Underpants Monster at 10:48 AM on March 6, 2015
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