Comments on: Are These the Ten Best Hymns of All Time?

By: Robert

Robert — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 12:34:23 +0000

You tackled an impossible task–as witnessed by the number of folks who disagree with your choices. How could a “best hymns” list not include: Rock of Ages; Jesus, Lover of My Soul; Hark, the Herald Angels Sing; Abide with Me; Be Still, My Soul…? Oh my!

By: Michelle

Michelle — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 03:00:45 +0000

I think you guys missed the boat here:

Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
Alleluia, Sing to Jesus
At the Name of Jesus
Shepherd of Souls
What Wondrous Love Is This
The Church’s One Foundation
How Firm a Foundation
All Glory, Laud and Honor
Jesus Christ is Ris’n Today
Come, Holy Ghost
All Creatures of Our God and King
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
O Sun of Justice
Attende Domine (English translation)
By All Your Saints Still Striving
Your Hands, O Lord, in Days of Old
Father, We Thank Thee Who Has Planted
Alleluia, The Strife is O’er

By: Ragamuffin

Ragamuffin — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 14:28:55 +0000

Obviously, I added a couple more and didn’t edit the lead-in. ;)

By: Ragamuffin

Ragamuffin — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 14:28:30 +0000

Two of my favorites not on the list:

Praise To The Lord, The Almighty
All Creatures of Our God and King
Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
How Deep The Father’s Love For Us

By: AMO

AMO — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 09:16:16 +0000

@Craig & Fr. Michael – Glad you too love “Lift High the Cross”. I’ll take it any day over the ‘social justice’ cant from the contemporary œvre (e.g. “Anthem”).

@Don in Phoenix – although my bias is toward the ‘oldie but goodie’ hymns, I will mix it up with some of the contemporary faves (such as OBOB, Be Not Afraid), as long as they are scripturally sound. NEVER On Eagle’s Wings, though (more a matter of taste than scriptural soundness, although even that is a matter of debate).

I really try and make the scripture readings/lesson the main criterion by which I choose the hymns. Unfortunately, like many church musicians, I am limited to the selections in the missalette [O St. Cecilia: please intercede on behalf of St. ___ Church, that Fr. ___ will budget $ for congregational hymnals].

More thoughts on the Top 10 Hymn List:

Anyone still on the fence about “O God Beyond All Praising” should seek out the Richard Proulx arrangement. Our diocesan cathedral choir sang this for a priestly ordination, with organ and full brass, and it was glorious.

Wanted to mention another hymn also referenced in the comments: “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” [PICARDY] — Eucharistic, ancient (c. 4th century AD), and arranged by Ralph Vaughn Williams. ‘Nuff said.

Don’t get musicians started. Especially church musicians!

By: Raymond Coffey

Raymond Coffey — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 01:45:59 +0000

Some are excellent choices, some merely very good. These were omitted. “Holy God, We Praise Your Name,” “Whate’er My God Ordains Is Right,” and “For All the Saints.”

By: Robster

Robster — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 21:23:41 +0000

Is possible to suggest that not all old hymns are great, and not all new songs are bad? I’ve enjoyed some oldies and some newbies; they enhanced my worship. Then there are some oldies and newbies I have not delighted in.

By: Louise

Louise — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 19:30:13 +0000

Wachet Auf: Sleepers Wake

and

Break Forth O Beauteous Heav’nly Light

Congregations are capable of singing quite complex hymns, such as “God of our fathers, Whose almighty hand,

By: BillT

BillT — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 17:42:43 +0000

How can I be the first to mention “Amazing Grace”.

By: Larry Peters

Larry Peters — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 13:17:02 +0000

Quite a surprise what is listed as #1. Popular, maybe, but the best of a list of good ones? My own choices might be rather obscure, but I would offer “Jesus Has Come and Brings Pleasure Eternal” (alas I could not find a setting on line) or for poetry alone, Franzmann’s “O God, O Lord of Heaven and Earth” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjZ8iKDShPk… just to name a few…