Bad liturgical music has been something of a hobbyhorse of mine since my teenage years. I am a Catholic and despite having a back catalogue of the most beautiful art and music in the Western world, the Church dumped most of it post Vatican II. I had to suffer through the Gather hymnal through my formative years in the Church, and it’s motley collection of the most milquetoast and insipid “sacred music” you’ll ever hear (“We are sign, we are wonder./We are sower, we are seed./We are harvest, we are hunger./We are question, we are creed.” the hell?). Then there’s the --ahem-- soul stirring “our God is an awesome God, he reigns from heaven above! Our God is an awesome God!” Lather, rinse, repeat.
Older hymns, “Amazing Grace” being the ultimate example, cut a different way. They remind us that we are all sinners, all fallen, and all we can do is throw ourselves at the mercy of the Lord. In this age of narcissism, that kind of humility is sorely needed. And the way that the message and music of Amazing Grace cut across peoples of many faiths, backgrounds, time periods, and cultures, speaks infinite volumes.
My God………..All of a sudden, you were in my “In” box………read every single word like it was meant for me only……….read every single word like it wasn’t history but had just happened for me to see………then, to really lay me out, I clicked on “Amazing Grace” which was unbelievable BUT!!………when the bag pipes started to play, well, I was putty. Thank you so much for making me a mess…….
By the way, having said all that, my 2 favorite songs are “Come Go With Me” by the Del Vikings and, Moonlight Serenade by Glenn Miller…….That’s it…….
About 15 years ago, I spent a month living in the Marriott in Columbus, GA while my fiance did her predeployment training at Fort Benning. One of the happiest times of my adult life (but also bittersweet when she shipped off to Baghdad).
I was madly in love and free, and one day I was walking along the river walk there. It was morning, so not many people around.
I came across where someone had written in chalk on the ground a perfect version of the sheet music and lyrics to Amazing Grace.
I have a loud baritone voice when I need it, so right there I sang the whole song. Nobody was around, but for some reason a dog came over an sat and listened.
Just an odd memory. Thanks for this back story (and I'm also an unemployed wretch at the moment, needing some grace myself.)
Wonderful post Gordon - enlightening and unexpected. May your work circumstances improve soon.
Keep writing - it will help with sanity and the patience required in finding your next job. You got this!
And man were you right about the baritones.
Bad liturgical music has been something of a hobbyhorse of mine since my teenage years. I am a Catholic and despite having a back catalogue of the most beautiful art and music in the Western world, the Church dumped most of it post Vatican II. I had to suffer through the Gather hymnal through my formative years in the Church, and it’s motley collection of the most milquetoast and insipid “sacred music” you’ll ever hear (“We are sign, we are wonder./We are sower, we are seed./We are harvest, we are hunger./We are question, we are creed.” the hell?). Then there’s the --ahem-- soul stirring “our God is an awesome God, he reigns from heaven above! Our God is an awesome God!” Lather, rinse, repeat.
Older hymns, “Amazing Grace” being the ultimate example, cut a different way. They remind us that we are all sinners, all fallen, and all we can do is throw ourselves at the mercy of the Lord. In this age of narcissism, that kind of humility is sorely needed. And the way that the message and music of Amazing Grace cut across peoples of many faiths, backgrounds, time periods, and cultures, speaks infinite volumes.
think of it this way. now we get more of you!!! your talents are wasted on whatever it was you used to do!!!
Good read. Anyway , In a few months you’ll look back and realize what happened was a good thing. Keep writing !
My God………..All of a sudden, you were in my “In” box………read every single word like it was meant for me only……….read every single word like it wasn’t history but had just happened for me to see………then, to really lay me out, I clicked on “Amazing Grace” which was unbelievable BUT!!………when the bag pipes started to play, well, I was putty. Thank you so much for making me a mess…….
By the way, having said all that, my 2 favorite songs are “Come Go With Me” by the Del Vikings and, Moonlight Serenade by Glenn Miller…….That’s it…….
I guessed Amazing Grace before I read far enough to see it! Love it when I’m weirdly right about stuff.
I too love that song. Makes me cry about every time.
And I too find myself out of work unexpectedly.
About 15 years ago, I spent a month living in the Marriott in Columbus, GA while my fiance did her predeployment training at Fort Benning. One of the happiest times of my adult life (but also bittersweet when she shipped off to Baghdad).
I was madly in love and free, and one day I was walking along the river walk there. It was morning, so not many people around.
I came across where someone had written in chalk on the ground a perfect version of the sheet music and lyrics to Amazing Grace.
I have a loud baritone voice when I need it, so right there I sang the whole song. Nobody was around, but for some reason a dog came over an sat and listened.
Just an odd memory. Thanks for this back story (and I'm also an unemployed wretch at the moment, needing some grace myself.)
Thanks for sharing!
Great history lesson. I’m sure he wasn’t the only one haunted with regret, but his verse expressed it quite eloquently.
I share everyone’s hope for uplifting news in your job situation.