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Post by Benjamin on May 11, 2014 4:13:08 GMT
I'm making this thread to vent about something completely irrelevant.
I have no logical reason for this particular dislike. It's not about something unbiblical, heretical or inappropriate. It's just about something that REALLY BUGS ME.
Now that we have that clear... exhibit A:
I hate it... HATE it when people record beautiful old hymns with new tunes.
I just... for the life of me, can't understand WHY. Why would you take something that is already has a constructed meaning (in both lyrics and melody) and then mess with it like that?
Don't get me wrong, this particular song is well put together, and musically I guess it's okay... I have no criticism of it musically, it's the whole process of changing the melody that hurts my brain. I don't know if I'm just sentimentally attached to the melodies of the hymns, I don't know - but there you have it.
Now, as a palate cleanser:
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Post by MyWhiteStone on May 11, 2014 7:04:22 GMT
I am grateful for old familiar hymns. I belt them out whenever I can. Sadly most churches these days seem to sing only 7-11 music, i.e., seven word phrases repeated at minimum eleven times. I have a hard time developing affection for this style. I usually know no tunes, and although the lyrics are attractively emblazoned on a screen up high, a deep meaning usually doesn't seem to stick. Many lyrics are even kept non-offensive, i.e., avoiding the J_____ word. Tragically watered-down seeker friendly non-specific musical prattle for which you stand up at least 35 minutes straight on sore feet and shift from side to side. One in eight in the congregation may actually sing. Seventeen kilowatts of acoustic power and multi-beam lights dance about the "sanctuary," enhancing four guitars, eight drums and two casually-dressed-down performers with mics.
So sorry for the rant. Not my problem. Many folks despise my preferred genre of worship music too. I truly hope these modern practices deeply touch seekers and worshipers who came to church, in a meaningful and thought-provoking way. I'm just old, which as we discovered within the last 24 hours is not Benjamin's particular affliction.
By the way, thanks sincerely for the palette cleansing, Benjamin. That old familiar tune and lyrics fraught with deep meaning, can induce tears just thinking about Jesus' faithfulness.
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Post by shiloh on May 11, 2014 11:52:54 GMT
The first version doesn't bother me but I DO like the second one much better. But I really like acapella, so that may have something to do with it. The words sink in better.
Many times I think it depends on the song too. I also find myself sentimentally attached to old time, certain hymns too. There are newer ones I like but the old hymns seems to stick with me better with their original tune. They seem to touch your spirit more. Some of the newer versions just don't sound right to me. It's more about the rhythm than the words...it just seems wrong to me...It's just so wrong. LOL, now I sound like my daughter.
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nana
Levitical Priest
Posts: 95 
Favourite Verse: Psalm 100
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Post by nana on May 11, 2014 13:37:31 GMT
I love the old hymns and often find myself singing them (to myself only) during the day. Happily our church does sing them from time to time but sadly the often change the tunes or add so many loud instruments the tune doesn't come through. I agree about the 7 - 11 songs. My mind wanders as I sing the same few words over and over and over even though I want it to be a time of worship. I love the stories behind many of the old hymns, too.
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Post by Benjamin on May 11, 2014 13:53:27 GMT
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Post by Benjamin on May 11, 2014 13:54:40 GMT
Also... I don't normally like Gaither stuff much, but... this:
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Post by shiloh on May 12, 2014 4:07:57 GMT
It seems evident that the Holy Spirit was at work there.
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jasperdale
Numbers' Donkey
not even slightly dead
Posts: 136 
Favourite Verse: John 4:14
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Post by jasperdale on May 12, 2014 10:08:40 GMT
i really don't have any problems with 'altering' hymns. after all, when they were written, they were "modern" for the time and i am sure that people complained because people weren't satisfied with the really "old, old" songs. as long as we are honoring the Lamb, let the music continue
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Post by Benjamin on May 12, 2014 10:35:46 GMT
no, no... don't get me wrong, I don't actually have a problem with it...
This is an entirely personal, "you people changing the melody hurts my brain" complaint, not a legitimate gripe.
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Post by MyWhiteStone on May 12, 2014 12:38:46 GMT
Are you sure, Benjamin, that the world / society / would not want "hurting someone's brain" defined as offensive? You may have an actionable injury claim. :-)
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nana
Levitical Priest
Posts: 95
Favourite Verse: Psalm 100
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Post by nana on May 23, 2014 16:10:00 GMT
I was thinking about this Sunday as our church sang old hymns with new melodies and choruses. Our church is across the street from a university and we have a thriving college ministry. Our pastor preaches from the word a few verses at a time and his messages are wonderful. I guess I'm glad our music leader chooses the songs he does if that's what the college kids like and it keeps them and the younger people coming to the church. However, I find myself concentrating on the new melody so much that I find it difficult to pay attention to the words of the hymn. When we occasionally sing a hymn with its old melody, I can really worship and think about praising God through song. There's nothing wrong about changing it - it just makes it harder for me personally to worship. Sorry to resurrect an old topic but I've been pondering it since Sunday and thought I'd try to explain my thoughts.  |
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Post by shiloh on May 23, 2014 19:22:01 GMT
Nana, I completely get what you are saying. I'm like that too. It makes it harder for me to worship at certain tunes to hymns and rhythms but I'm also like that with some older hyms too. I don't know why, but some of the older ones put me to sleep and it was as if the congregation was lulled to sleep while singing. Maybe it was just the Catholic church and it was so monotone with no ...I don't know what the word is I'm looking for.....boring and drawn out..funeral, organ music..sort of. Then, I ened up gooing to a Pentecostal church. THAT was another trip! Elderly women shaking tambourines in the pew right behind me for over 2 hours. People shouting in tongues and raising their arms continuously in a 2 hour service. I was waiting for the snake handlers to come out. It was all too distracting for me. A confession I have to make is that I remember saying to the Lord (during that service and others of different denominations) "Lord, is there something wrong with me? Why can't I feel your presence? I feel so distracted." Needless to say, there were many churches that I never felt led to go back to. It seemed as it was all for show or a "look how much I'M praising the Lord!" I dunno but my arms were so sore after raising my arms and I exercise. They made you feel that if you weren't shaking a tambourine and shouting in tongues that you just weren't spirit filled. Then, the pastor talked to me outside (he said goodbye to everyone in the church - routine kind of thing) and he really wanted me to join the church and I politely took some pamphlets and never went back.
I just don't fit in anywhere.
I've always thought, "Boy, if I could just find a church or a pastor like Charles Stanley, David Jeremiah and others..".
I know I may sound shallow in thinking that way and I don't mean to. It's just that I find it hard to concentrate on the Word and the Lord Himself with all that distraction, rituals, etc. I don't feel HIS closeness there...like there is no close communion with Him.
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