Sunday, December 17, 2000

December 17, 2000 246pm One very important reason why old hymnals are frequently better than new ones is that new hymnals assume congregations will sing in unison. As a bass, I really don't like to sing hymns and chants in unison. Not only is four-part harmony neat, it is easier to sing than unison. This morning, we used Lutheran Worship, which was published in 1982. For those of you unfamiliar with Lutheran liturgy, I should point out that we sing the entire service - not just the hymns, but also many of the prayers. Lutheran Worship sets this service in a fairly high range; I sang most of it in my falsetto voice. Now, I am able to sing this high, but I am certainly more comfortable singing the service found in The Lutheran Hymnal, which uses four-part english chant. I just sing the bass part, which is right in the best part of my range. If you happen to be the editor of a hymnal, I suggest that you consider that many people are more comfortable with four-part harmony than with unisons. 2:58:38 PM    comment []

December 17, 2000 240pm CST Re: December 7, 2000 927pm CST I refer not to the retailers of textbooks when I speak of the community that fleeces poor students. I refer to the publishers and distributors. 2:42:37 PM    comment []

December 17, 2000 127pm CST A hymn for the third Sunday of Advent: On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry Announces that the Lord is nigh; Come, then, and hearken, for he brings Glad tidings from the King of kings. Then cleansed by every Christian breast And furnished for so great a Guest. Yea, let us each our hearts prepare For Christ to come and enter there. For Thou art our Salvation, Lord, Our Refuge, and our great Reward. Without Thy grace our souls must fade And wither like a flower decayed. Lay on the sick Thy healing hand And make the fallen strong to stand; Show us the glory of Thy face Till beauty springs in every place. All praise, eternal Son, to Thee Whose advent sets Thy people free, Whom, with the Father, we adore And Holy Ghost forevermore. note: The last stanza of this hymn is a doxology. It is proper to stand for the singing of this stanza. From ELH #106, TLH #63 Tr. J. Chandler 1:37:59 PM    comment []