Reply #2: Hymns into dirges

[AngryOldDem]

<<Some years back I belonged to a parish where the musicians, whatever their intentions might have been, managed to turn nearly every hymn into a dirge. It was as though they'd slapped any joy down.<<

I can really relate to this one. And it saddens me. A lot of these hymns are so full of hope and so joyful that when they are played at funeral speed, all their intent and uplift is lost.

"City of God" was the recessional last weekend at Mass. "Let us build a city of God, may our tears be turned into dancing..." It was played so slowly that we all just might as well have walked out hanging our heads and gnashing our teeth.

I've noticed that this particular music director favors the old, old hymns (think 17th century). That's fine, but there is a lot of good, relatively recent liturgical music out there -- I just wish she would get it right. I've also noticed that her choice of music often precludes the congregation from singing -- either the tune is too hard for most people to follow, or she doesn't have the lyrics available...this has happened too many times to be considered coincidence. That bothers me as well.

By the way...I cannot -- and I mean CAN NOT -- get through "On Eagle's Wings" without choking up. I love the song, but it gets me every time. "Lord of the Dance" is another one, and I can't for sure say why. (Song is set to the tune of "Simple Gifts" -- maybe that's it.)