Even a harmonium rendition would do it for me Turns out it was written by an American from Philadelphia whose big hit was the music to 'Away in a Manger'. Well, he seems to know about ships!
I'm just so bloody disappointed that at our new 'liberal' evangelical church 'In Christ Alone' was sung. The wrath of Martin and Mrs. Wife wasn't satisfied.
Not Corny though, is it? Just theologically not to your liking.
A modern candidate for the coveted Corny Chorus accolade is the mangled metaphor that is My Lighthouse - if "I will follow you" I'm going to come a cropper on the cliff-face pretty quickly, and I've yet to meet the lighthouse that could "carry me safe to sho-o-o-o-o-o-ore"
Because theologically it's bollocks. Although Jesus couldn't not believe it of course.
I'm just so bloody disappointed that at our new 'liberal' evangelical church 'In Christ Alone' was sung. The wrath of Martin and Mrs. Wife wasn't satisfied.
I can put up with a passing reference to PSA for the line "no power of hell, no scheme of man, can ever pluck me from his hand".
I'm just so bloody disappointed that at our new 'liberal' evangelical church 'In Christ Alone' was sung. The wrath of Martin and Mrs. Wife wasn't satisfied.
I can put up with a passing reference to PSA for the line "no power of hell, no scheme of man, can ever pluck me from his hand".
Also, Stuart Townend bought me lunch once.
It's a great choon, that's the trouble.
It's often used as The Last Hymn so I love it as it means Junior Church is nearly over. (Much as I love doing it, I'm always pleased when it's done. Until I realise that means finding something for the following week).
It's still not as bad is as the Jesus is my Rom-Com boyfriend choruses that are knocking about
I understand that there is an amended version of In Christ Alone , which glosses over the PSA reference (can't recall the exact words), but which is abjured, and anathematised, by Mr Townend...
I loathe, with a deep, and abiding, loathing, The Shiny Song (Shine, Jesus, shine ). WTF is that all about? It's not even a good Choon!
For some very simplistic, if not corny, songs and choruses, I give you the Children's Christian Crusade. No, not the mediaeval one, but a missionary effort of the 70s and 80s, based IIRC in Lancashire. Here's a not-very-good YouTube video of a CCC event in Southport: https://youtube.com/watch?v=IbGr2YzcRs8
Our Vicar coom from oop North, so we had one of these CCC weeks at the Church Of My Yoof, around 1980/81.
Disclaimer - I cast no nasturtiums on the zeal of the missionaries. Lovely people, both, and full of a desire to see God's Kingdom extended.
I'm just so bloody disappointed that at our new 'liberal' evangelical church 'In Christ Alone' was sung. The wrath of Martin and Mrs. Wife wasn't satisfied.
Not Corny though, is it? Just theologically not to your liking.
A modern candidate for the coveted Corny Chorus accolade is the mangled metaphor that is My Lighthouse - if "I will follow you" I'm going to come a cropper on the cliff-face pretty quickly, and I've yet to meet the lighthouse that could "carry me safe to sho-o-o-o-o-o-ore"
ISTM that a lot of Corny Choruses come from the 1950s/60s, during which decades I was often obliged to warble them in Children's Church (I took a long time growing up...).
At the time, though, they were fun to sing, and the 'actions' (waving one's hands about) were nothing to object to.
In my old age, perhaps I've become much more sensible, cynical, world-weary, sophisticated etc., etc. (delete as appropriate).
ISTM that a lot of Corny Choruses come from the 1950s/60s, during which decades I was often obliged to warble them in Children's Church (I took a long time growing up...).
At the time, though, they were fun to sing, and the 'actions' (waving one's hands about) were nothing to object to.
In my old age, perhaps I've become much more sensible, cynical, world-weary, sophisticated etc., etc. (delete as appropriate).
Maybe the microchip has much to answer for?
Actions are inherently something to object to. Whoever invented action songs should burn for eternity in a pit of cat piss scented boiling nitric acid.
I understand that there is an amended version of In Christ Alone , which glosses over the PSA reference (can't recall the exact words), but which is abjured, and anathematised, by Mr Townend...
When the new (2013) hymnal for my tribe was being prepared, In Christ Alone was on the list for inclusion. However, the text to be used replaced "on the cross, as Jesus died, the wrath of God was satisfied" with ""on the cross, as Jesus died, the love of God was magnified."
The amended version had been taken from a Baptist hymnal published in 2010, so the committee putting together our hymnal thought that the amended version was an approved version. But when they sought copyright permission, they learned that not only was the change not approved by Townend and Getty, but that Townend and Getty refused to grant permission to include the song unless the original lyrics were used. (The publishers of the Baptist hymnal in question were told to make sure all future printings of that hymnal had the original words.)
So, the committee decided that In Christ Alone would not be in the new hymnal after all. Cue criticisms from predictable quarters that the hymnal committee and the new hymnal denies the atonement.
Actions are inherently something to object to. Whoever invented action songs should burn for eternity in a pit of cat piss scented boiling nitric acid.
That sounds like something that would make quite a good action song.
ISTM that a lot of Corny Choruses come from the 1950s/60s, during which decades I was often obliged to warble them in Children's Church (I took a long time growing up...).
At the time, though, they were fun to sing, and the 'actions' (waving one's hands about) were nothing to object to.
In my old age, perhaps I've become much more sensible, cynical, world-weary, sophisticated etc., etc. (delete as appropriate).
Maybe the microchip has much to answer for?
Actions are inherently something to object to. Whoever invented action songs should burn for eternity in a pit of cat piss scented boiling nitric acid.
Action songs have their place—which for my money is around a campfire or the like, or in preschool, cub scouts/brownies or some other gathering of young children. The presence of children—indeed children being the primary singers of the song—is imperative.
Actions are inherently something to object to. Whoever invented action songs should burn for eternity in a pit of cat piss scented boiling nitric acid.
That sounds like something that would make quite a good action song.
ISTM that a lot of Corny Choruses come from the 1950s/60s, during which decades I was often obliged to warble them in Children's Church (I took a long time growing up...).
At the time, though, they were fun to sing, and the 'actions' (waving one's hands about) were nothing to object to.
In my old age, perhaps I've become much more sensible, cynical, world-weary, sophisticated etc., etc. (delete as appropriate).
Maybe the microchip has much to answer for?
Actions are inherently something to object to. Whoever invented action songs should burn for eternity in a pit of cat piss scented boiling nitric acid.
Action songs have their place—which for my money is around a campfire or the like, or in preschool, cub scouts/brownies or some other gathering of young children. The presence of children—indeed children being the primary singers of the song—is imperative.
Actions are inherently something to object to. Whoever invented action songs should burn for eternity in a pit of cat piss scented boiling nitric acid.
That sounds like something that would make quite a good action song.
I understand that there is an amended version of In Christ Alone , which glosses over the PSA reference (can't recall the exact words), but which is abjured, and anathematised, by Mr Townend...
When the new (2013) hymnal for my tribe was being prepared, In Christ Alone was on the list for inclusion. However, the text to be used replaced "on the cross, as Jesus died, the wrath of God was satisfied" with ""on the cross, as Jesus died, the love of God was magnified."
The amended version had been taken from a Baptist hymnal published in 2010, so the committee putting together our hymnal thought that the amended version was an approved version. But when they sought copyright permission, they learned that not only was the change not approved by Townend and Getty, but that Townend and Getty refused to grant permission to include the song unless the original lyrics were used. (The publishers of the Baptist hymnal in question were told to make sure all future printings of that hymnal had the original words.)
So, the committee decided that In Christ Alone would not be in the new hymnal after all. Cue criticisms from predictable quarters that the hymnal committee and the new hymnal denies the atonement.
Yes, I think that's the line I meant. Whether or not one agrees, I suppose the author has the right to, at least, object to any change...
Even as a child action songs would make me run for the hills. Of the three Karltlets #1 and #2 would have been racing me to said hills. #3 likes them but not enough to justify the pain caused to the rest of us.
Expecting adults to do them ought to result in a thorough dressing down along the lines of "what are you thinking, you utter cretin?"
all criticisms of action songs aside (in terms of uncomfortability of performing the actions) if said actions are actually proper sign language for the words being sung, and can assist in the accessibility of worship for non hearing or non-verbal people, then please go right ahead.
It's often used as The Last Hymn so I love it as it means Junior Church is nearly over. (Much as I love doing it, I'm always pleased when it's done. Until I realise that means finding something for the following week).
It's still not as bad is as the Jesus is my Rom-Com boyfriend choruses that are knocking about
I identify with most of this post - whilst I know what you mean about the last bit, somehow the heavy emphasis on 'me' and 'love' which turns me off that kind of chorus, doesn't raise those hackles when encountered in 'Jesus lover of my soul' (let me to thy bosom fly!!!) or 'Come down O Love divine' (oh comforter, draw near, within my heart appear). I suspect I'm one of those people for whom mere antiquity is enough to blunt my habitual criticism of the new, regardless of content. Call me (prince) Charles
A song where one is expected to perform actions. "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" is about as high a level as they reach.
Okay, thanks.
There is an old Orthodox hymn I do love- "Before thy cross, we bow down in worship, and thy holy resurrection, we glorify." This is repeated several times with prostrations, and it's very solemn and beautiful. I'm guessing these "action songs" are quite sillier.
Our actions to 'I will make Vicious Old Men' were probably beyond the pale, as were the adapted lyrics I suppose. Laughs were hard to come by back then! That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.
There are songs with crapulous choruses that are indistinguishable from the relentless pounding of a severe migraine attack and with the same theological value, for example - and I quote it in full - from The Days Of Elijah:
There is no God like Jehovah!
There is no God like Jehovah!
There is no God like Jehovah!
There is no God like Jehovah!
There is no God like Jehovah!
There is no God like Jehovah!
There is no God like Jehovah!
There is no God like Jehovah!
There is no God like Jehovah!
There is no God like Jehovah!
There is no God like Jehovah!
There is no God like Jehovah!
There is no God like Jehovah!
There is no God like Jehovah!
I suggested to our minister that as far as I knew, in our tradition we generally only believe in one God, and anyway, I got the point after the first repetition. "But the praise band likes it!"
There are songs with crapulous choruses that are indistinguishable from the relentless pounding of a severe migraine attack and with the same theological value, for example - and I quote it in full - from The Days Of Elijah:
There is no God like Jehovah!
There is no God like Jehovah!
There is no God like Jehovah!
There is no God like Jehovah!
There is no God like Jehovah!
There is no God like Jehovah!
There is no God like Jehovah!
There is no God like Jehovah!
There is no God like Jehovah!
There is no God like Jehovah!
There is no God like Jehovah!
There is no God like Jehovah!
There is no God like Jehovah!
There is no God like Jehovah!
One of my favourite well-known Christian songs, of considerably older vintage, begins
There are songs with crapulous choruses that are indistinguishable from the relentless pounding of a severe migraine attack and with the same theological value, for example - and I quote it in full - from The Days Of Elijah:
There is no God like Jehovah!
There is no God like Jehovah!
There is no God like Jehovah!
There is no God like Jehovah!
There is no God like Jehovah!
There is no God like Jehovah!
There is no God like Jehovah!
There is no God like Jehovah!
There is no God like Jehovah!
There is no God like Jehovah!
There is no God like Jehovah!
There is no God like Jehovah!
There is no God like Jehovah!
There is no God like Jehovah!
One of my favourite well-known Christian songs, of considerably older vintage, begins
A modern candidate for the coveted Corny Chorus accolade is the mangled metaphor that is My Lighthouse - if "I will follow you" I'm going to come a cropper on the cliff-face pretty quickly, and I've yet to meet the lighthouse that could "carry me safe to sho-o-o-o-o-o-ore"
Ah yes, the Rend Collective. Aspiring but not quite managing to be Mumford & Sons. Also responsible for Build Your Kingdom here, the arsonist’s favourite - Set your church on fire, indeed. Not only cheesy lyrics, but a total dirge to sing. Build your king dom HERE and all that.
I wondered for a while when I first heard Mumford why their songs made me feel a bit twitchy, and then I realised it’s because many of them sound like worship songs. Turns out Marcus Mumford’s parents were worship leaders.
I managed to get lost when hearing the Kyrie's (also to the point of not knowing if it were in English or Greek). At that point I consider it embellished past usefulness in worship.
I tend to have a 3 repetition rule for songs before I go on strike. With a bit of flexibility, (the aforementioned chorus's of alleluia's is clearly 2 lots of 3 lines with at most 3 hallelujah's in, and thus clearly ok). Besides it's for the kiddies, so gets even more slack.
Going on the early modern hymns (Wesley and similar). I'll sing 'love' to rhyme with whatever you say it does.
(I don't know if there's been a vowel shift with Prove, Move)
A church secretary at a previous church objected to choruses being repeated three times or more on the grounds of needless repetitions so we sang them all twice.
Whereas Papa Haydn wrote a Gloria that lasts about 30 seconds...
That's because he piled up the lines on top of each other; all four vocal parts are singing different words. It's good for when you want something festive but don't want to make the service longer than necessary.
Oh, thank you for that! I wondered when it started (wait! what? that's the Triumphal March from Aida!), but then they got going.
That's a great and famous organ; I got to hear a private recital on it once. It was built for the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis, and from thence went to what was long Wanamaker's department store in Philadelphia. People were worried when it was turned into a Macy's, but they seem to have had more respect for that than for, say, Marshall Field & Co.
I rather like 'Ezekiel Saw De Wheel' (well, the tune, anyhow), so here's a slightly less lunatic version by Louis Armstrong: https://youtube.com/watch?v=4xzQdN5uoNE
I loathe 'I'm H-A-P-P-Y etc.'. If you sing it really slooooooooooowly, it becomes a most mournful Dirge.....
Do you remember Surgical Spirit?
You’re thinking of Only When I Laugh
A corny song but not a Christian one, and neither is ‘If you’re happy and you know it’ (see Dave Gorman’s ‘Modern Life Is Goodish’ for a masterful deconstruction of that song). Oh, and Eutychus, thanks for reminding me of my guilty pleasure film! Du Jour means crash positions!
ISTM that a lot of Corny Choruses come from the 1950s/60s, during which decades I was often obliged to warble them in Children's Church (I took a long time growing up...).
At the time, though, they were fun to sing, and the 'actions' (waving one's hands about) were nothing to object to.
In my old age, perhaps I've become much more sensible, cynical, world-weary, sophisticated etc., etc. (delete as appropriate).
Maybe the microchip has much to answer for?
Which bit of you, @Bishops Finger has it been inserted into?
I identify with most of this post - whilst I know what you mean about the last bit, somehow the heavy emphasis on 'me' and 'love' which turns me off that kind of chorus, doesn't raise those hackles when encountered in 'Jesus lover of my soul' (let me to thy bosom fly!!!)
That's because Charles Wesley has something to say about love, rather than just repeating the word because he likes the sound of it.
(One of the things I've realised about Jesu Lover of my Soul is that it ends up in a different place from where it starts. Or rather, it ends up in the same place that it started but it looks at it in an entirely different way.)
Less suggestive, but still fairly bizarre, and this one is a chorus, and likewise, founded in worthy theology, there is a chorus with this immortal line. I have to admit I've only seen it in books. I've never heard it sung, "Pierce my ear Lord ... "
Just in case this is puzzling to anyone: There's a law in the Hebrew scriptures (OT) that if a slave wants to stay with their owner, rather than going free, they're to stand by a post of the house, and have one ear pierced, with the awl going through their ear into the post. (No, they didn't stay fastened to post!) Symbolism, metaphor, and such.
I don't know the song, but I presume that's the source.
...
Ah yes, the Rend Collective. Aspiring but not quite managing to be Mumford & Sons. Also responsible for Build Your Kingdom here, the arsonist’s favourite - Set your church on fire, indeed. Not only cheesy lyrics, but a total dirge to sing. Build your king dom HERE and all that.
I wondered for a while when I first heard Mumford why their songs made me feel a bit twitchy, and then I realised it’s because many of them sound like worship songs. Turns out Marcus Mumford’s parents were worship leaders.
They are very reminiscent of M & Sons but there are worse things than sounding like them. Really, and I'm not exactly a fan. I like the tune of BYKH but the words are definitely clunky.
If we're going to slate Days of Elijah, I feel the more serious criticism is that howler about David rebuilding the temple. He couldn't rebuild it. It hadn't been built the first time.
Less suggestive, but still fairly bizarre, and this one is a chorus, and likewise, founded in worthy theology, there is a chorus with this immortal line. I have to admit I've only seen it in books. I've never heard it sung, "Pierce my ear Lord ... "
Just in case this is puzzling to anyone: There's a law in the Hebrew scriptures (OT) that if a slave wants to stay with their owner, rather than going free, they're to stand by a post of the house, and have one ear pierced, with the awl going through their ear into the post. (No, they didn't stay fastened to post!) Symbolism, metaphor, and such.
I don't know the song, but I presume that's the source.
O yes. That's the source and inspiration.
There's a certain cloth eared naïvety about some of the unco guid that means they aren't alert to how the not so good will hear their words. It's the same thing as means they've never noticed the need to be cautious about using the words "our souls".
Comments
Because theologically it's bollocks. Although Jesus couldn't not believe it of course.
It's a great choon, that's the trouble.
It's often used as The Last Hymn so I love it as it means Junior Church is nearly over. (Much as I love doing it, I'm always pleased when it's done. Until I realise that means finding something for the following week).
It's still not as bad is as the Jesus is my Rom-Com boyfriend choruses that are knocking about
I loathe, with a deep, and abiding, loathing, The Shiny Song (Shine, Jesus, shine ). WTF is that all about? It's not even a good Choon!
For some very simplistic, if not corny, songs and choruses, I give you the Children's Christian Crusade. No, not the mediaeval one, but a missionary effort of the 70s and 80s, based IIRC in Lancashire. Here's a not-very-good YouTube video of a CCC event in Southport:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=IbGr2YzcRs8
Our Vicar coom from oop North, so we had one of these CCC weeks at the Church Of My Yoof, around 1980/81.
Disclaimer - I cast no nasturtiums on the zeal of the missionaries. Lovely people, both, and full of a desire to see God's Kingdom extended.
Oh gosh yes. The most horrid thing!
At the time, though, they were fun to sing, and the 'actions' (waving one's hands about) were nothing to object to.
In my old age, perhaps I've become much more sensible, cynical, world-weary, sophisticated etc., etc. (delete as appropriate).
Maybe the microchip has much to answer for?
Actions are inherently something to object to. Whoever invented action songs should burn for eternity in a pit of cat piss scented boiling nitric acid.
The amended version had been taken from a Baptist hymnal published in 2010, so the committee putting together our hymnal thought that the amended version was an approved version. But when they sought copyright permission, they learned that not only was the change not approved by Townend and Getty, but that Townend and Getty refused to grant permission to include the song unless the original lyrics were used. (The publishers of the Baptist hymnal in question were told to make sure all future printings of that hymnal had the original words.)
So, the committee decided that In Christ Alone would not be in the new hymnal after all. Cue criticisms from predictable quarters that the hymnal committee and the new hymnal denies the atonement.
Action songs in church? No. Just no. Not for me.
Agreed!
Yes, I think that's the line I meant. Whether or not one agrees, I suppose the author has the right to, at least, object to any change...
Expecting adults to do them ought to result in a thorough dressing down along the lines of "what are you thinking, you utter cretin?"
A song where one is expected to perform actions. "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" is about as high a level as they reach.
They were OK when Ah Wor A Lad, but I now find them cringeworthy to the n th degree...
I sympathise with the KarlLBlets. Race you to those hills...!!
I identify with most of this post - whilst I know what you mean about the last bit, somehow the heavy emphasis on 'me' and 'love' which turns me off that kind of chorus, doesn't raise those hackles when encountered in 'Jesus lover of my soul' (let me to thy bosom fly!!!) or 'Come down O Love divine' (oh comforter, draw near, within my heart appear). I suspect I'm one of those people for whom mere antiquity is enough to blunt my habitual criticism of the new, regardless of content. Call me (prince) Charles
Okay, thanks.
There is an old Orthodox hymn I do love- "Before thy cross, we bow down in worship, and thy holy resurrection, we glorify." This is repeated several times with prostrations, and it's very solemn and beautiful. I'm guessing these "action songs" are quite sillier.
There is no God like Jehovah!
There is no God like Jehovah!
There is no God like Jehovah!
There is no God like Jehovah!
There is no God like Jehovah!
There is no God like Jehovah!
There is no God like Jehovah!
There is no God like Jehovah!
There is no God like Jehovah!
There is no God like Jehovah!
There is no God like Jehovah!
There is no God like Jehovah!
There is no God like Jehovah!
There is no God like Jehovah!
I suggested to our minister that as far as I knew, in our tradition we generally only believe in one God, and anyway, I got the point after the first repetition. "But the praise band likes it!"
"So let's forget about ourselves and concentrate on Him, and worship Him"
repeated three times.
Words that, when uttered, should result in the song being banished to the outer darkness and never spoken of again.
One of my favourite well-known Christian songs, of considerably older vintage, begins
Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
And people complain that modern choruses are too repetitive ;-)
Handel made it interesting.
And I doubt if any modern chorus would sound quite like this version of Hallelujah...
https://youtube.com/watch?v=wp_RHnQ-jgU
Aye, but Mozart's music and poetry are gorgeously inseparable. Days of Elijah is as musical as a concrete block, but less useful.
Ah yes, the Rend Collective. Aspiring but not quite managing to be Mumford & Sons. Also responsible for Build Your Kingdom here, the arsonist’s favourite - Set your church on fire, indeed. Not only cheesy lyrics, but a total dirge to sing. Build your king dom HERE and all that.
I wondered for a while when I first heard Mumford why their songs made me feel a bit twitchy, and then I realised it’s because many of them sound like worship songs. Turns out Marcus Mumford’s parents were worship leaders.
I tend to have a 3 repetition rule for songs before I go on strike. With a bit of flexibility, (the aforementioned chorus's of alleluia's is clearly 2 lots of 3 lines with at most 3 hallelujah's in, and thus clearly ok). Besides it's for the kiddies, so gets even more slack.
Going on the early modern hymns (Wesley and similar). I'll sing 'love' to rhyme with whatever you say it does.
(I don't know if there's been a vowel shift with Prove, Move)
Oh, thank you for that! I wondered when it started (wait! what? that's the Triumphal March from Aida!), but then they got going.
That's a great and famous organ; I got to hear a private recital on it once. It was built for the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis, and from thence went to what was long Wanamaker's department store in Philadelphia. People were worried when it was turned into a Macy's, but they seem to have had more respect for that than for, say, Marshall Field & Co.
You’re thinking of Only When I Laugh
A corny song but not a Christian one, and neither is ‘If you’re happy and you know it’ (see Dave Gorman’s ‘Modern Life Is Goodish’ for a masterful deconstruction of that song). Oh, and Eutychus, thanks for reminding me of my guilty pleasure film! Du Jour means crash positions!
I refrain from comment, as TIACW...
(One of the things I've realised about Jesu Lover of my Soul is that it ends up in a different place from where it starts. Or rather, it ends up in the same place that it started but it looks at it in an entirely different way.)
Just in case this is puzzling to anyone: There's a law in the Hebrew scriptures (OT) that if a slave wants to stay with their owner, rather than going free, they're to stand by a post of the house, and have one ear pierced, with the awl going through their ear into the post. (No, they didn't stay fastened to post!) Symbolism, metaphor, and such.
I don't know the song, but I presume that's the source.
Madame and I both got a bit teary at that. I suspect Handel would have been overjoyed.
There's a certain cloth eared naïvety about some of the unco guid that means they aren't alert to how the not so good will hear their words. It's the same thing as means they've never noticed the need to be cautious about using the words "our souls".
You're right, I am!