Sing a New/Old Song Unto the Lord

By Tom Booth

Should we be using NEW worship music from a variety of new sources when ministering to our young people, older people and everyone in between? Answer: Yes, yes, a thousand times yes!

What if the Church hadn't been "open" to singing the beautiful music of Bob Hurd that he began composing 25 years ago? What if we had told Michael Joncas not to teach us "On Eagle's Wings," or said to the St. Louis Jesuits that we were not interested in the new and stellar music that they were composing and singing 30 years ago! These pieces of music are still new when we consider our Catholic musical heritage.

Our young people have been swept up by modern worship music: "Open the Eyes of My Heart," "Come, Now is the Time to Worship," "Hungry," and so many other songs. What if we were to say to them, "You cannot sing YOUR "On Eagle's Wings," YOUR "Be Not Afraid," we cannot embrace YOUR "Holy God We Praise Thy Name."

We know this to be true with young people: When you reject their music "out of hand" you have, in a way, rejected them. Yes, we need to be vigilant of a good and healthy comprehensive Catholic theology in our songs, lyrics and prayer styles, but we can also "strain out a gnat and swallow a camel." Many of these songs, though not composed in the context of the Catholic faith, are beautiful, scripturally sound, and help
our young people and others to pray. Many of these songs even have the communal perspective in mind, instead of the vulnerable "me and Jesus" approach to spirituality.

And another question arises, should we be using more "vintage" music, song choices that have withstood the test of time for 10, 20, 30, 50 and hundreds of years ago? Answer: Yes, yes, a thousand times yes!

"Come, Holy Ghost" — What would the feast of Pentecost be like without one rousing stanza of that hymn? "Amazing Grace" — try being a music minister in a parish and NOT sing that song! Did you see the movie Amazing Grace? Wow! We need to keep singing that song and the legacy it carries. What about "Praise God From Whom all Blessings Flow" or "O Salutaris Hostia"? How can we forget and cast away these beautiful songs, these beautiful hymns, these gems of our musical treasure? The fact is, we DO forget. Let us be mindful of the new and the vintage music available to us. Always keep in mind balance. When we pick songs we are picking theology and modeling a spirituality for the assembly.

And remember this as well: There will be new music that will be composed 100 years from now that will reflect the style, mood and attitude of the future. I am sure it will be used effectively to move the hearts and minds of the people of God in the year 2108.

Listen to ValLimar Jansen and Jesse Manibusan sing The Cry of the Poor, a stunning psalm setting by John Foley S.J. We would be a poorer Church without this beautiful offering from the Glory and Praise years!