Doing it right?

[Merseysider]

Is there anyone else for whom "doing it right" sometimes means going against current wisdom? Do you know what I mean?

You meet with other liturgical musicians and discuss the rights and wrongs, the ins and outs, the whys and wherefores. "Ooooh! Do you know what St Polycarp's did on Sunday? They actually allowed a Martian to play Japanese nose flute in the north aisle when just about EVERYONE knows he should have been playing mouth organ in the south transept. I mean, just how unliturgical can you get?"

And then you go home. And you remember that 92-year old Elsie loves an action song because she can't sing and this helps her feel she's joining in. And if Katie sings "Oh, the love of my Lord" – yet again – she'll make an awful lot of the congregation happy. And we'll finish with "Colours of Day" because they've worked hard at the new Chris Walker piece and they just need a bloody good sing to see them on their way.

I can't be the only person for whom good liturgy doesn't just mean doing it by the book but making people feel happy too.

In my new parish we have very little repertoire – they're lapping up everything I give them but there's a limit. So why – despite the phenomenal advances we've made since Ash Wednesday – would I feel embarrassed if some of you popped into my church this Sunday?

And why am I scared that I'm writing under a pseudonym?

[gwyn]

All seriously valid stuff Merseysider. Here in sunny Abergavenny we go with the spirit rather than the letter when it comes to 'doing it right'.

I don't use a pseudonym, I can't see the point of them - or am I missing the point and purpose of them too?

Heddwch.

[Merseysider]

Thanks Gwyn. You may call me Athanasius!

I once worked with an exceptionally talented musical priest. On my first Sunday – as I didn't know the congregation – he provided me with a music list.

Full of liturgical law (and no spirit) I was horrified to see it included:
• Come my brothers praise the Lord (Michael row the boat...)
• Swedish Sanctus (horrible metrical thing)

I protested. And I was told in fatherly, but very strict, tones: "This is where we are at. We hope you will lead us on. But accept where we are at or go away".

I accepted where they were. Got to know them. In two years we had about five Holys in the congregational repertoire, countless contemporary pieces and the congregation could sing four-part rounds while falling of greased logs.

I learned a hard lesson and I'm glad I stayed around. I'm hoping my new parish will develop in the same way. But they're such a lovely community I couldn't care less if we just sang Agadoo every week!

[/list]

[musicus]

Hello Merseysider, and welcome to the Forum.

Musicus (but you can call me Polycarp) – moderator

[Merseysider]

Hi Polycarp.

Thanks for the greeting. From your picture you look strangely familiar. Have we danced the tango together at some point?

A

[musicus]

Yes!! The music was by that nice Mr William Walton.

Musicus

[Merseysider]

Ah! Am beginning to see beneath your Facade!
A

[Benevenio]

I couldn't care less if we just sang Agadoo every week!

I think you can fit the Sanctus to that tune...

[gwyn]

Merseysider wrote:

I couldn't care less if we just sang Agadoo every week!

Benevenio wrote:

I think you can fit the Sanctus to that tune...

LOL But I hope and pray that no one ever, EVER does.

[presbyter]

Just humming along here to see if one can indeed fit the Sanctus......

I think it works best in Latin

[SOP]

Oh no, is there a fix to get Sanctus Sanctus Sanctus to the tune of Agadoo out of your brain?

[gwyn]

Sanctaidd, Sanctaidd, Sanctaidd, Arglwydd Dduw'r lluoedd
fits it even more snuggly. I promise I never will though, not even for munny.

[Merseysider]

I can't get it to work.
Ancy fancy writing it in Sibelius and emailing me a copy?

And while we're at it, how about "There's a wideness in God's mercy" to the tune of Rod Stuart's "Sailing".

A

[musicus]

I can't remember how Agadoo goes, so that one's lost on me.

However, I think it was Paul Inwood who suggested singing the Holy, holy to the theme from Indiana Jones (the Hosannas are especially good):

Holy, holy,
holy Lord.
God of power,
God of pow'r and might.
Heav'n and earth are full of your glory,
HOSANNA, HOSANNA, HOSANNA

and the Lord, have mercy to Coronation Street ("Lord....................... havemercy!"]

One day, in the middle of Ordinary Time, I shall do them.

M

[gwyn]

It's possible to sing that harvesttide hymn; "We plough the fields and scatter the good seed on the land" to the tune of Pinball Wizard.

But more in keeping with the spirit of Vat II, you can sing "I tawt I taw a puddy tat" to the tune Diadem (but you have to adjust the lyrics thus):

I tawt I taw a puddy tat
a tweeping up on me;
a tweeping up on me.
I did. I taw a puddy tat,
Syl-ve - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ster
'Vester, 'Vester, 'Vester, Sylvester was his name.

Goes without saying that the bass line has its own variant.

I do have this in Sibelius 2 format

". . . as the Spirit gave them utterance."