Here I am, Lord, singing this stupid hymn again

24 comments

• Actually, I think it sounds nothing like that, but maybe it’s just me.  Because of the snow, we were stuck this morning and went to a LifeTeen Mass.  Other than “Awesome God”, the music was better than your typical Sunday Mass.  I just thank God that normally I can walk to St. John’s Seminary to sing and chant decent music.

• We sang “Here I am” at my parish.  Actually, it was an improvement, and that tells you something about the music we normally get.  Just to give an example: last Sunday, the Mass responses were put to the tune of Christmas Carols.

  Yours in Christ,
  ~G

• “Plus have you ever noticed how the part of Here I am, Lord that goes “I have heard you calling in the night” sounds exactly like “who was busy with three boys of his own…” from the Brady Bunch theme?”

  Is it only us Gen-X’ers who hear that, Dom? I totally think that every time I hear this, and some of the singers make it stand out more than others, too.

  We had “Here I Am” at the 5 pm at the Cathedral here in Edmonton, AB, as well; also “The Blessing Cup”, another one which was *really* horrible (and that’s saying something), and another hymn at the Communion which I don’t know the name, but it was from the “Breaking Bread” missalette, and the pianist played an accompaniment to the organ that sounded like, I’m not kidding, ersatz Billy Joel! I had a really hard time not laughing out loud at how ridiculous the piano accompaniment (and the alto “descant” as well) sounded with this hymn. We usually go to the noon Mass at the Cathedral, which gives us a fighting chance of hearing one or two decent hymns.

  And we also had that horrible “Carol Messe”, as I think of it, at Christmastime. At least several other parishes in Edmonton also used it this year. There are lyrics with bad theology, and then there is just plain bad music; the “Carol Messe” falls into the latter.

  (“Praise songs” that have come in from outside Catholicism I sometimes like, but at prayer meetings, NOT at Mass. They are really not appropriate there.)

• I am thankful that I have not heard Schutte’s little ditty for over 11 years.  Didn’t this guy leave the priesthood over some sort of less than stellar exploits?  Doesn’t this song involve some pantheistic elements to it?  If I recall, some place in the tune goes “I am God of Wind and Fire”

  I’ll take the “Salve Regina” any time.

• Such songs are specifically designed to block prayer, disrupt solemnity and provoke existentialist titilation.

  Indeed, who says there’s no universal character to the liturgy any more!?

  Nature abhors a vacuum and the Catholic Church abhors non-universality …. No offense to anyone but these songs are intrinsic to the new Mass.

  Oregon Press has tremendous power and influence. They’re a constant in the dozen or so parishes I have visited in my area.

• I once visited a patient in the hospital who was an Episcopalian.  The first thing he said to me was “What the hell’s the matter with you Catholics?”

  I thought to myslef, “What did we do now?”

  Then he said, “All of the greatest composers in history have written music for your church and you insist on singing that St. Louis Jesuit crap!”

  How do you answer that?

• I am a catechist for a confirmation class.  In the Spring, during our retreat, we will work on the confirmation Mass, which, of course, includes the music.  I will say that some . . . some of the more modern music is pretty good, but most, as you say, brings me back to my own confirmation that included a leisure suit with pearly buttons, loud guitars, and a lot of colorful banners.

  Other than “Come, Holy Ghost, Creator Blessed” I don’t know of many traditional hymns that would fit the bill.  Does anyone have any suggestions?  I would even like to hear about newer songs that would work.  No Mart Haugen or Dan Schulte – thanks guys, but you’ll have to settle for the other 51 Sundays.

• The reason that the music used at the Sacred Liturgy is unacceptable, in my opinion, is the beat and the instrument used. 

  One can change the beat, outlaw the guitar, unless someone can train the guitarist to play that instrument in a prayerful manner. I did hear a monk play this instrument in a very holy and prayful way during their chant prayer.

  By beat is meant, get rid of that “western style stumming”—“that rock and roll stlye”, that campfire style, that “childrens ditty style” used on childrens TV shows. Oh, there is so much more I could say…..but it would not be acceptable because the “spirit of the secular world” has woven its way into the musical talented lay and religious people of God.

• We got “Here I am Lord” as well.  I’m drawing a total blank on what else.  Guess I’ve gotten pretty good at tuning it out.

  Just a thought, when the music is objectionable, why sing it?  No one is forcing anyone to sing it.

  I’ve noticed in my own church that an old standard like “Holy God We Praise Thy Name” gets full-bodied congregational participation.  A wimpy song gets a wimpy participation.

• “And we also had that horrible ‘Carol Messe’, as I think of it, at Christmastime. At least several other parishes in Edmonton also used it this year. There are lyrics with bad theology, and then there is just plain bad music; the “Carol Messe” falls into the latter.”

  Maybe this is peculiar to the “Canadian Rite.”  I just thank God that we are back in ordinary time again.

  Yours in Christ,
  ~G

  P.S. Does anybody know if a Canadian GIRM exists?  I have been unable to find any mention of one on the CCCB’s website.

• Sean, you could always use “Veni, Creator Spiritus”. 

• Sean, How about “I’m a soldier in Christ’s army”.  That ought to wow ‘em!  Also Veni Creator Spiritus.

• Sorry, Gaius,  I was trying to find a reference to Soldier in Christ’s army online and couldn’t.  Not yet, anyway.  Didn’t see your post.  soes anyone remember that song?  Brian

• Thank God, I had the refuge of the Indult for the last 12 years. I’m glad I can use this as a point of origin in terms of the New Evangelization. When I occassionly attend a Saturday Vigil or Sunday Mass at my local parish (St. Theresa West Roxbury) which is fairly conservative by most standards, I find it shocking how much of the focus is horizontal and is directed to the Community. Equally shocking is the yacking before and after Mass. The worst offenders are people who are old enough to have gone through the changes of Vatican II. One can hardly think, let alone pray silently in preparation or thankgiving. So much for prayerful silence in the church. I often try to remind the yackers that others are trying to pray, only to get sarcastic response, no matter how polite I am. Where are the clergy in this? Most often they are part of the problem, yacking right along with them.

  What is equally disturbing is the “Introductory (and Concluding) Rites of Affirmation” that have gradually squirmed their way in to our Liturgies. Do we need this psycho-babble? A veritable litany of recognition and thanks for every ministry present? Why does this occur before the final Blessing, most often at the Cathedral? Why isn’t a silent Thanksgiving following our Eucharistic encounter encouraged by the Clergy? Clearly Thanking Him should take precedence over our neighbor (at least until after Mass). Take the back slapping outside or into the church hall for Fellowship. It has a place, but not in the substantial Presence of Our Lord. He has the floor in His House. Our petty conversation can be taken elsewhere.

  I love the silent contemplative nature of a Low Tridentine Mass or the transcendence of Chant at High Mass.

  Wimpy, emotional, effeminate, self-contemplative, politically correct hymnody needs to disappear if we are to recover the Eucharistic focus in our Liturgies. One of my favorite hymns reflects why we are the Church Militant. It’s a real “fight song”…The Holy Name Hymn, written by the late William Cardinal O’Connell, Archbishop of Boston. We sing this at Holy Trinity at least once a month and during all Holy Name functions. We recently discovered a version that has a fourth verse. It makes reference to “Benedict our Pontiff” (Benedict XV), for this hymn was written in the 1920’s.

  I wish to introduce this at the upcoming Boston Catholic Men’s Conference. Maybe we can have talk to Scot Landry about getting a Chant choir, like Schola Amicorum at the Conference, as a contrast to the charismatic Christian Folk Rock style of the Brothers of Hope, which I think is getting pretty dated.

• FYI, this is the “kick butt”, Holy Name Hymn. Please contact me offline if you wish the sheet music. I have JPEG and PDF versions.

  The Holy Holy Name Hymn
  William Cardinal O’Connell

  First Verse:
  O Holy Name of Majesty and power,
  O Sacred Name of God’s own Son.
  In ev’ry joy and ev’ry weary hour,
  Be Thou our strength until life’s war is won.

  Refrain:
  Fierce is the fight for God and the Right;
  Sweet Name of Jesus, in Thee is our might.

  Second Verse:
  All o’er the earth the hearts of men are dying,
  Chilled by the storms of greed and strife;
  All o’er the land rebellions flag is flying,
  Threat’ning our altars and the nations life.

  Third Verse:
  Ages ago our fathers firm and loyal,
  Fought for the Faith forever the same.
  We are their sons, our heritage is royal,
  and we shall conquer in the Holy Name.

  Fourth Verse:
  Up Christian Soldiers, Christ who goes before us,
  Shows us His Cross and leads the way;
  Benedict our Pontiff, guides and God is o’er us,
  Victory is ours if we but watch and pray.

  • Hi, Rob –

    So sorry to email randomly, but I’m desperately searching for sheet music of this great hymn. Any chance you could send it to me?

    Thanks and God bless!

    Jennifer
    music@stpatrickstoneham.com

    • Sorry, Jennifer, but is currently at the end of a battle for his life against a terminal illness and won’t be able to respond.

• What is equally disturbing is the “Introductory (and Concluding) Rites of Affirmation” that have gradually squirmed their way in to our Liturgies. Do we need this psycho-babble? A veritable litany of recognition and thanks for every ministry present? Why does this occur before the final Blessing, most often at the Cathedral?

  Excellent point, Rob.

  (For the record, we never sing “Here I Am, Lord” or anything that smacks “missalette”…give credit to the music director for that.)

  As for pre-final blessing kudos, I find it appalling. Cardinal Law used to do it after the Sign of the Cross and greeting…in those days the church was usually packed with visiting parishes who evidently had to be thanked for their presence and it was with nearly audible sighs from the parishioners that the words “please be seated for just a moment” were greeted. But at least the rest of the Mass was reverent and enough time was given after Communion for silent reflection.

  After Cardinal Law, left, the Mass was celebrated by the parish priests there at the time—Fathers Murphy, Roche, and Carr—and that stuff pretty much stopped…pretty much.

  With the new rector and parish priest it’s started up again…this time before the final blessing. In fact, the closing prayer starts almost immediately after the last person—generally me—receives Communion. Ostensibly, it’s to give Leo Abbott time to run to the back of the church and climb up to the loft to get to the H&H organ. This is nuts. That time can be easily spent giving us an opportunity for silent prayer.

  Can you tell you’ve hit a nerve?

• Holy God, we Praise thy name is always appropriate!

• Amen on the Introductory and Concluding ‘Rites of Affirmation’…

  At a nearby parish that my wife and I attend betimes, the pastor was in the habit (just before the Final Blessing) of asking:

  “Are there any visitors from other parishes present?” Yes…? (clap, clap)
  “Anyone having a birthday today? Yes…? (clap, clap, clap)
  “Anyone having an anniversary today?” Yes…? (clap, clap, clap, clap)

  The upshot of all of this…? Half the congregation (no exaggeration) leaves after Communion – straight from the Communion line out the door! Actions have consequences – unfortunately, not always the best ones and Father couldn’t see it.

  Claptrap.

• I am tempted to bring a recording of sacred music to Mass. Would that be a sin?

• How about good hymns on an iPod?

• Deacon, Mike.  With honesty.  You say, “well, yes ma’am we do.  We have no taste.  And even less of an idea of history.”

  I can’t hear “Here I am Lord” without laughing—the Brady Bunch thing is just too funny.  I’m always just floored that so many people don’t seem to hear it by themselves. 

  Blanchard, you have strumming?  Just be glad you don’t have “bump and grind.”  We do.  It sounds like mass in a bowling lane lounge some Sundays.  Nobody seems to get the punch line there either. Catholics must be tone deaf—that’s the only conclusion I can draw.  I can’t imagine they don’t know what bump & grind is.

  Kelly, they can’t give you time for prayer.  That would divide the community, dontcha know.  And community luv is what *supposed* to be going on and the ONLY thing that’s supposed to be going on, according to some people in high places.

• This is a battle I’ve been fighting for years.  Since half our choir members don’t show up for Wednesday night practice, they practice before mass.  They also talk, sometimes loudly, and even laugh.  I’ve tried to quiet them down, but with no luck.  Since several of them are older people, they don’t hear well and speak well above the normal volume level.

  Our PSR kids used to say the Rosary in church before mass, but they finally gave up.  Very sad.