What’s wrong with tradition?

I recall that The Dickies, LA punk Band, who, apart from writing their own material, also did sped-up versions of songs such as the Banana Splits (70s kids TV show) theme tune, and Black Sabbath’s Paranoid, also did a very alternative “Silent night”. I can almost hear it now . . .

Traditional vs. Contemporary:

For years there have been those who’ve come and gone from our church who wanted to sing hymns. I grew up in a So. Baptist church where I did nothing but led hymns from the hymnal with one piano player, waving my arm(s) at the congregation like I was directing a choir. This was at the beginning of the “Jesus Movement.” Soon, there were special numbers where one would bring out their guitar and accompany themselves with it. Next were the youth group meetings where we would sing from songbooks that held modern songs. Next came the Assy of God with the hymnal that, no matter what song it was, sounded like southern gospel. The Free Methodist was all hymnal singing and the music director looked like a peacock sweating in his too-tight suit frustrated that he didn’t have a full-time choir. Finally settling in a Foursquare church, we sang more contemporary songs from transparecies projected from an overhead projector and a new member of the team emerged, the overheadist. Sounds like a circus performer, huh?

Today’s setup with a power point person and a guitar-centered 4-piece band sans piano, three backup vocalists all on a too small platform, I sometimes feel the longing for a return to the beginning.

Thankfully some songs of recent publication have a hymn-like feel both musically and lyrically. “In Christ Alone” comes to mind with powerful declarative lyrics. Then I come across a hundred year old hymn called “O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus” and I wonder if we’ve really progressed to anywhere new at all?

I was discussing this all with a pastor friend recently and his take was that we need songs that are true to themselves. His immediate response was that songs need to be more like hymns. I asked what he meant and he said we need songs that elevate our vision and display God’s care and plan. What we needed, he said, was a song library that calls us on the one hand to kneel in abject humility and twirl and dance in abandoned celebration on the other.

One song doesn’t have to declare the whole of the Christian experience in order to be valid. The themes in some hymns of the majesty and nature of our God are captivating, while the intimate lyrics of “Alabaster Jar” are almost cathartic to me. Seldom do we guys get to a place personally where we’re able to let it all out. Most of the time we’re too embarrassed to let anyone see us eyes closed and lost in worship with tears streaming and snot running. Some would call that emotionally constipated. I say it’s never good to let the whole world see your most intimate times with your wife, and the same is true for God.

Sure, I tire of the same four chord songs week after week and will try for something more musically inspiring even if it’s just to repeat the chorus one step up. The rest of the musicians have no idea what augmented or diminished chords are, let alone how to play or use them, so we’re somewhat limited in our available repertoir. It seems, though, week after week, we are able to bring a mix of old and new that is inspiring, thought provoking and worshipful.

I guess, in the end, that’s what we were after all along.

Paul Baloche’s Hallelujah To My King has that minor key feel…

We’ve done Silent Night in 4/4 – and it works quite well!!!! Having just got in from a cathedral 9 lessons and carols service – I have to admit that there is something majestic and meaningful in the traditional approach (you’d struggle to re-create the musical impact of the descant part from “O Come all ye faithful” with a standard four-piece worship band). In our own church this weekend we will have a candle-lit carol service which will have some trad carols with trad arrangements – but also some contemporary Christmas songs too. I think there is room for both.

I think he stands next to me at church!