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Hymn Blog - June 28, 2009
MV 1 – Let Us Build a House. This beautiful hymn of inclusion was written and composed by Marty Haugen, a liturgical composer from Eagan, Minnesota. For the past fifteen years he has presented workshops across North America, Europe, Australia, and Central America for both Roman Catholic and Protestant liturgical ministers. His music appears in numerous hymnals produced for Canadian and Australian Roman Catholics, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), and numerous other Protestant denominations. Seven of his works are in Voices United and three in More Voices. The text presents a vision of church that might well be our goal to build toward. The tune, TWO OAKS, is very singable and a lovely accompaniment to the text.
We Shall Not Be Moved. "I Shall Not Be Moved" is a traditional American folk song whose lyrics probably stretch back to the slave era, although there is no indication of when the song was written or who wrote it. It is a spiritual song that was adapted by the activists of the 1930s, with lyrics changed to "We Shall Not Be Moved," similarly to how "We Shall Overcome" took on the collective voice in protest rather than its original singular voice. Typical of many traditional folk songs, the lyrics have evolved through time to apply to the various causes about which the song has been sung. When the tune became an anthem of the labor movement, verses were adjusted to be appropriate to union organization. When the song was sung during the civil rights movement, verses were adjusted to reflect racial unity. Because of the song's structure, only one line per verse needed to be refashioned to be appropriate for the new context.
MV 93 – What Calls Me from the Death. This text, based on the story of Lazarus in John 11, explores the meaning of rebirth. Author Mary Bittner was a graduate of Penn State University and Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary/Northwestern University, and was director and/or organist in Baptist, United Methodist, and Presbyterian churches, most recently at Knox Presbyterian Church in Naperville, Illinois. Her first collection of hymn texts, “Water from the Rock”, was published in 2004. “More Voices” is the first hymn supplement to include Bittner's work, sadly released only a few months before her death after a long battle with cancer. Composer Fred Graham is Assistant Professor of Church Music at Emmanuel College. He arrived at the College after completing 14 exceptional years as Music and Liturgy Officer at the General Council offices of The United Church of Canada. During his tenure there, the denomination renewed its song resources through publication of “Voices United” (1996) and its prayer resources through publication of “Celebrate God’s Presence”, both of which involved the worship office in intense ways. He has always maintained an active role in parish music ministry, serving since 1985 in several United Church congregations in the Toronto area for periods of six months to six years. Fred has filled in as organist for us at TSP on a number of occasions. As a travelling clinician in the areas of worship and music, Graham is well known from coast to coast in Canada’s United Church communities. He contributed the hymn tune LIFE RESTORED to the Voices United collection, and two new tunes in 2006 to More Voices) named NEW IDENTITY, and EMMANUEL COLLEGE.
MV 189 – Jesus, We Are Here. Our Hymn response is a hymn, originally in the Shona language. Author, composer and translator Patrick Matsikenyiri was a key player in the founding of Africa University in Zimbabwe and served there as professor of music and choir director for many years. Since his retirement in 2002, he has been teaching at several U.S. institutions by invitation. His music is published in many hymnals and songbooks and sung in churches everywhere. Matsikenyiri has led workshops and worship services on African music throughout the world.
VU 713 – I See a New Heaven. This hymn text, based on Revelation 21, and the tune were written by Carolyn McDade in 1979. It was published in her collection, “Songs for Congregational Singing” in 1991. McDade is a member of the Unitarian Universalist Association in the United States.
VU 695 – God Is Passionate Life. Our sung blessing and commissioning is by Colleen Fulmer, singer, composer and liturgist. She is a graduate of the Franciscan School of Theology in Berkeley, California. This round comes from a collection of service music published by the Loretto Spirituality Network in Albany, California.
This will be my last hymn blog until September. I would appreciate any feedback you have. I must acknowledge Margaret Leask (Voices United CD ROM) and Bruce Harding (More Voices website), whose research has provided the basis for much of the content of this blog. Have a great summer!
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