Over 30 years ago, I was approached by a friend who requested that I write song lyrics for a contemporary Christian group that was about to be assembled. The musical direction would be either Southern rock or country-western. I consented.
One of my compositions began with:
"Some people hate the Bible and want all around to know
That Jesus Christ is bogus and church is just a show."
The lyrics were adversarial, so a later line stated:
"How easy for a pagan to say 'You hypocrite!'
As he stubbornly refuses to kneel and commit."
One of my country-music style compositions put forth a wistful narrative from a man who hated his job but loved his family. The refrain went like this:
"My family's a haven from all of the slavin'
Home's where compassion grows fatter.
'Cause love is the thing that deadens the sting
And power and money don't matter."
As Providence would have it, the band never fully came together and I was eventually called into pastoral ministry. But, well before that calling, I was enamored with the lyrics of historic hymns---and the stories of devout hymn writers.
The term ‘lyrics’ has been defined in this way: “Having the form and musical quality of a song, and especially the character of a song-like outpouring of the poet's own thoughts and feelings…pertaining to, rendered by, or employing singing.”
Through the years, I’ve become even more appreciative of those lyrics of Christian faith and devotion from centuries ago, lyrics from a heritage of godly persons who valued the legacy and privilege of "Speaking to one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord."--Eph.5:19.
Ps.30:4- “Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His, And give thanks to the remembrance of His Holy Name.” Certainly some of this praise can involve a grateful recognition of our precious heritage of Christian music---and the lyrics tied to that music.
Contemplate the faith, devotion and loving worship embedded in historic lyrics such as:
"Take my life and let it be Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days, Let them flow in ceaseless praise."--Frances Ridley Havergal
and:
"O worship the King, all glorious above,
And gratefully sing His pow'r and His love."---Robert Grant
and:
"Praise ye the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul praise Him, for He is thy health and salvation.
All ye who hear, Now to His temple draw near,
Join me in glad adoration."---Joachin Neander
and:
"Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way.
Hold o'er my being absolute sway.
Fill with Thy Spirit Till all shall see
Christ only, always, Living in me!"---Adelaide Pollard
One of my compositions began with:
"Some people hate the Bible and want all around to know
That Jesus Christ is bogus and church is just a show."
The lyrics were adversarial, so a later line stated:
"How easy for a pagan to say 'You hypocrite!'
As he stubbornly refuses to kneel and commit."
One of my country-music style compositions put forth a wistful narrative from a man who hated his job but loved his family. The refrain went like this:
"My family's a haven from all of the slavin'
Home's where compassion grows fatter.
'Cause love is the thing that deadens the sting
And power and money don't matter."
As Providence would have it, the band never fully came together and I was eventually called into pastoral ministry. But, well before that calling, I was enamored with the lyrics of historic hymns---and the stories of devout hymn writers.
The term ‘lyrics’ has been defined in this way: “Having the form and musical quality of a song, and especially the character of a song-like outpouring of the poet's own thoughts and feelings…pertaining to, rendered by, or employing singing.”
Through the years, I’ve become even more appreciative of those lyrics of Christian faith and devotion from centuries ago, lyrics from a heritage of godly persons who valued the legacy and privilege of "Speaking to one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord."--Eph.5:19.
Ps.30:4- “Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His, And give thanks to the remembrance of His Holy Name.” Certainly some of this praise can involve a grateful recognition of our precious heritage of Christian music---and the lyrics tied to that music.
Contemplate the faith, devotion and loving worship embedded in historic lyrics such as:
"Take my life and let it be Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days, Let them flow in ceaseless praise."--Frances Ridley Havergal
and:
"O worship the King, all glorious above,
And gratefully sing His pow'r and His love."---Robert Grant
and:
"Praise ye the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul praise Him, for He is thy health and salvation.
All ye who hear, Now to His temple draw near,
Join me in glad adoration."---Joachin Neander
and:
"Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way.
Hold o'er my being absolute sway.
Fill with Thy Spirit Till all shall see
Christ only, always, Living in me!"---Adelaide Pollard
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