I like to save this hymn until Epiphany and then play it on the piano and sing along every day for a week or so thereafter.
This post was a very touching account of this hymn. I’ve been playing the hymn and looking at the music and the composer for days now and still somehow thought it just came out of the air!
I firmly follow Hopkins thinking on sacred music. We forget our history in worship and not just the music but the soaring cathedrals. and the prayers and contemplative writing. Kumbayah blesses the children and leaves them asking for more...praise, worship, beauty and truth.
Children in former times got a lot of their skills in poetry and meter from good old music, including hymns and Christmas carols. Now we have raised generations of adults who cant carry a tune in a bucket. Singing "Three Blind Mice" as a round in the second grade, it seems, prepares students for singing in harmony later, and it develops their musical ear for good and far greater music.
Ha! Can't carry a tune in a bucket, that's funny. I wish I could carry a tune in a front end loader... I just can't, even tried having lessons and it didn't help much. How much my life is impoverished because I can't sing.
Oh dear Benard! I am sad about that! My brain is set on auto-record for every tune I've ever heard. Just the opposite. But yes, not being able to sing is too bad. Well, it doesn't prevent you from having a Happy New Year, though!!
Nicki, yes, I understood your meaning. You are right. I was also defending the use of old-time children's songs in school. Those have gone by the wayside. But you are right, the simple songs are a wonderful source of childhood blessing -- and they have real value. Many blessings to you, too!
Always good. Always inspirational. "Hopkins believed that when it comes to hymns, you should not write down to the lowest taste, but rather uplift" This quote reminded me of NY Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan (1977-2001), member of the Democrat Party, who famously warned against "defining deviency down." Boy was he prescient. Look at the social construct of today. Moynihan a Democrat then, would today be considered a Republican. Thanks for the consistently excellent writing.
Thomas, ah for the day when we had statesmen, when the disagreements were less about what was best for our nation than about how to achieve what is best for our nation. And thank you for joining us at Word & Song.
I like to save this hymn until Epiphany and then play it on the piano and sing along every day for a week or so thereafter.
This post was a very touching account of this hymn. I’ve been playing the hymn and looking at the music and the composer for days now and still somehow thought it just came out of the air!
I firmly follow Hopkins thinking on sacred music. We forget our history in worship and not just the music but the soaring cathedrals. and the prayers and contemplative writing. Kumbayah blesses the children and leaves them asking for more...praise, worship, beauty and truth.
Children in former times got a lot of their skills in poetry and meter from good old music, including hymns and Christmas carols. Now we have raised generations of adults who cant carry a tune in a bucket. Singing "Three Blind Mice" as a round in the second grade, it seems, prepares students for singing in harmony later, and it develops their musical ear for good and far greater music.
Ha! Can't carry a tune in a bucket, that's funny. I wish I could carry a tune in a front end loader... I just can't, even tried having lessons and it didn't help much. How much my life is impoverished because I can't sing.
Bernard, I empathize, sympathize and weep with you. At every birthday party, the children would say, "Hold your ears, Mama's gonna sing!"
Oh dear Benard! I am sad about that! My brain is set on auto-record for every tune I've ever heard. Just the opposite. But yes, not being able to sing is too bad. Well, it doesn't prevent you from having a Happy New Year, though!!
I hope I made it clear that kumbahwhatever is for children, YOUNG children.
Debra. I'd like to thank you as well as Tony for the spirit you inspire every morning with you words, recommends and faithful ideas. Blessings!
Nicki, yes, I understood your meaning. You are right. I was also defending the use of old-time children's songs in school. Those have gone by the wayside. But you are right, the simple songs are a wonderful source of childhood blessing -- and they have real value. Many blessings to you, too!
BRAVO! Amazing voices.
Judie, I use recordings by the Kings College Choir whenever I can. They are magnificent.
Always good. Always inspirational. "Hopkins believed that when it comes to hymns, you should not write down to the lowest taste, but rather uplift" This quote reminded me of NY Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan (1977-2001), member of the Democrat Party, who famously warned against "defining deviency down." Boy was he prescient. Look at the social construct of today. Moynihan a Democrat then, would today be considered a Republican. Thanks for the consistently excellent writing.
Thomas, ah for the day when we had statesmen, when the disagreements were less about what was best for our nation than about how to achieve what is best for our nation. And thank you for joining us at Word & Song.