Saturday, November 18, 2017

Re-Working Lyrics

Community of Christ Sings is an amazing resource that allows us to sing our theology and mission with every hymn.  In part this was facilitated by revising the lyrics of treasured heritage hymns so that they better convey the increased understanding of the church in the 21st century.  As the church moves forward, there is ongoing need to revisit, revise, and renew lyrics so that hymns may continue to convey messages that call us forward.

To that end, I would love to enlist the talents of lyricists and poets across the church to update hymns in Community of Christ Sings so that they better convey the identity, mission, message, and beliefs of the church's path forward.

One that I'd love to have new lyrics for is CCS #350, "We Are a Family of Faith."  This is a very fun song, sort of an anthem of the church and its name, that we've enjoyed singing, especially in intergenerational contexts.  However, its theology seems pretty literal and does not convey the kind of message we'd like to teach children.  I love the line "we have a mission that's clear" --- I'd like to see that immediately pull into a focus on the Mission Initiatives.  Instead, it implies that our clear mission is "to praise our Savior's name," which is something Evangelical Christians might sing.  I would also prefer to avoid the primary definition of the church as being a family "of faith." Faith is an important component of the church, but I'd rather have something else missional up front, if possible.

I'm marking up the lyrics I'd like to see changed, and will appreciate any help creating new lyrics that are more missional.  (Obviously, as many more lyrics as are necessary can be changed, but these are the ones that I'd like to see eliminated.)

We are a family of faith;
we have a Savior who’s kind.
We lift each other up.
We leave no one behind,
and if the least of us should stumble,
we all feel the pain:
Community of Christ is our name.

We are a family of faith;
we have a mission that’s clear:
to praise our Savior’s name.
We help build Zion here.
And we seek peace between the nations,
love between us all;
Community of Christ is our call.

We are a family of faith
and we look forward to the day
we see our Savior’s face, 
he wipes our tears away, 
and all the saints of every nation
rise to die no more: 
Community of Christ evermore!

We are a family of faith;
we have a Savior who’s kind.
We lift each other up.
We leave no one behind,
and if the least of us should stumble,
we all feel the pain:
Community of Christ is our name.

I do like the fact that we have a number of modern songs in the hymnal, but unfortunately, the content of these hymns tends to be pop Evangelical "praise" which, I think, at best can be described as meaningless/contentless, but more realistically borders on idolatry.  An example is #252 "Blessed Be Your Name."  This praise song has an interesting melody, but no content.  It would be wonderful again if the lyrics were replaced with something that had meaning, so that the hymn could actually be used and sung.  I'm marking the lyrics that should be replaced:

Blessed be your name
in the land that is plentiful,
where your streams of abundance flow;
blessed be your name.
Blessed be your name
when I’m found in the desert place.
Though I walk through the wilderness,
blessed be your name.
Every blessing you pour out 
I’ll turn back to praise. 
When the darkness closes in, 
Lord, still I will say, 
“Blessed be the name of the Lord, 
blessed be your name. 
Blessed be the name of the Lord, 
blessed be your glorious name.”
Blessed be your name
when the sun’s shining down on me,
when the world’s “all as it should be.”
Blessed be your name.
Blessed be your name
on the road marked with suffering;
though there’s pain in the offering,
blessed be your name.
Every blessing you pour out 
I’ll turn back to praise. 
When the darkness closes in, 
Lord, still I will say, 
“Blessed be the name of the Lord, 
blessed be your name. 
Blessed be the name of the Lord, 
blessed be your glorious name.” 

This is something that isn't in my immediate wheelhouse of talents.  If you are a poet or lyricist, your work on improving our hymns will be very appreciated.  We'll use updated hymns in Toronto congregation and create online and other resources crediting lyricists.  We very much appreciate your help!