Hymn Blog - September 20, 2009

September 20, 2009

VU 222 – Come, Let Us Sing. A rousing opening hymn With text by Jim Strathdee and tune by Jim and Jean Strathdee. The Strathdees live in Southern California and have contributed greatly to Christian hymnody over many years.                                                                                            

We Shall Overcome. "We Shall Overcome" is a protest song that became a key anthem of the US civil rights movement. The lyrics of the song are derived from a gospel song by Reverend Charles Tindley of Philadelphia. Tindley was an African Methodist Episcopal Church minister who composed many hymns and lyrics, some 50 of which are known to have survived. Over time, others added newer lyrics from the common store of stock phases used in spirituals, including the repeated line "I'll overcome someday," and the phrase, "Deep in my heart," which also appears in a later gospel song. Various versions of the spiritual were sung in black churches in the 1800s and at integrated meetings of black and white coal miners in the early 1900s.The song was published in 1947 as "We Will Overcome" in the People's Songs Bulletin (a publication of People's Songs, an organization of which Pete Seeger was the director and guiding spirit).

MV 165 – There is a Time. Words and music are by Carolyn McDade. American Carolyn McDade is well known for her songs of personal and social transformation. For three decades she has gathered circles of women to sing and reflect on life. The arrangement is by Lydia Pederson, former music director at Royal York Road United Church, and active member of the Hymn Society.

VU 949 – Grant to Us, O God, a Heart Renewed. The music for this reverential prayer response is by Reverend Lucien Deiss, C.S.Sp. (1921-2007), widely known in Europe and the United States as a scholar in the fields of Sacred Scripture and Patristics. He was selected by Pope Paul VI to coordinate the Lectionary psalter following the Second Vatican Council. His Biblical Hymns and Psalms was the first significant way that millions of Catholics in the U.S. came to sing the Word of God and treasure it in their hearts. For this he was given an honorary Doctorate in Sacred Music from Duquesne University.

MV 169 – When Hands Reach Out Beyond Divides. Keri Wehlander is an author, hymn lyricist, liturgical dancer and leader of retreats and workshops. Spirituality and the arts provide a primary focus for her work in various settings in both her native Canada and the U.S. A passion for making biblical stories and imagery come alive is at the heart of her work.   The tune, SALEM, is from the 1854 edition of Southern Harmony. The first verse of original text in Southern Harmony for this tune was:   He dies! the Friend of sinners dies!  Lo! Salem's daughters weep around;  A solemn darkness veils the skies,  A sudden trembling shakes the ground.

VU 884 – You Shall Go Out with Joy. See last week’s hymn blog.