“God gives a song in the night season…”

“God gives a song in the night season…”

HYMN: “God Leads Us Along” – G. A. Young (1855-1935)

TUNE: GOD LEADS US

This one may go further into the gospel song realm than some of you have lived. Though not included in any of the hymnals we used in my home church, I learned it at local Saturday night “singings” held at the even-more-rural churches in the area. However, I find that many people know and love this lilting shepherd song that has appeared in 83 hymnals.

During these weeks of sheltering-in-place to avoid the Corona Virus, God seems to be giving people a lot of songs… new songs… and these are being shared en masse. For some of us, the song that God gives during this night season is an old, familiar one – one that has ministered to us over the years and continues to do so. From “O God, Our Help in Ages Past” to “In Times Like These,” many of us have found solace and hope in that other sacred book: the hymnal.

A couple of years ago, Mary McDonald and I did an anthem entitled “Stay Strong.” It had a powerful back-story and gained a pretty good purchase base. The refrain really could have been the theme song of this period in the world’s history. [I’m attaching the audio below.]

In the middle of that recurring section, this line comes up: “The stress of life may take away your song.” It is probably the pivotal phrase of the entire piece; it is certainly the one that more people have latched onto as that song developed into their dearly-kept repertoire!

As we approached this period of being isolated, I thought to myself: “I’ll use this time to write! I’ll have lots of bonus time on my hands, so I’ll turn out lots of new hymn and anthem texts.” Sure enough, the first one I turned out and posted online [“Hymn for Streamed Worship”] has been sung all over the world… literally. But then, with Elijah I seem to have had one of those “the heavens are as brass” kind of dilemmas: nothing seemed to spin its way out of my Bic.

Composer friends of mine have turned out some real masterpieces during these days and have posted those on Facebook. But me? Nah! I have worked my way back into some previous texts that have lain dormant, but nothing new has come my way. It has made me wonder if my words from a couple of years ago have come to pass; has the stress of life taken away my song?

As a creator of texts, maybe so. But as a LOVER of texts, never! I have fallen back on my brain/heart-stored collection of hymns, and the lines from those congregational songs have continued to restore my soul, to lead me by still waters into green pastures, to prepare a table before me.

I hope that is true of you – that you are relying big-time on the songs you know… and maybe grabbing a songbook to learn some that you need to know… and will turn to the next time our world comes undone and we are separated.

Like an old, dear friend, the hymnal becomes our hiding place… our strengthening place – our reminder that we truly can “Stay Strong.”

“God of grace and glory, in this night season – continue to give us a song… your song. Amen.”

____________

This Hymn from Gaither Homecoming

 https://youtu.be/dvi5nRidGns

"Stay Strong" Anthem

https://youtu.be/YiHPMG3vjtw

Our saddest songs we sing.

For this Good Friday, I'm posting one of my own hymn texts. It works with several tunes, but if you want to "sing it" in your head as you read, try "Just As I Am." I've never used it in worship; I really intend it to be an anthem text.

 

Our Saddest Songs We Sing

L.M.

The crown of Jesus was a thorn

entwined into a ring of pain.

The sharpened points prick deep to cause

his blood to drip, his face to stain.

The train of Jesus was a robe –

a robe to mock, to shame, to scorn.

A purple remnant length of cloth,

by Christ the Son of God was worn.

The throne of Jesus was a cross.

From there he reigned o’er sin and death.

Humiliated and defamed,

he drew from life one final breath.

O blessed Jesus, Holy Christ –

our much-mistreated dying King.

With you we mourn, we weep, we grieve;

with you our saddest songs we sing.

R. G. Huff

"Peace is there that knows no measure."

Hymn: “In the Cross of Christ I Glory” – John Bowring (1792-1872)
Typical Tune: RATHBUN

In this seven-word phrase, the prolific poet/hymn writer John Bowring captures the essence of the disposition of those who have found their place in the shadow of the cross of Christ. Not only is the peace immeasurable, it is also beyond explanation.

Those of us who have lived the faith-life for most of our days have trouble explaining our REAL reaction to the cross-event. While to us it may “go without saying,” sometimes it needs to be said – to be expressed. The great hymns of the church give us that opportunity.

I’ve also spoken the language of music for most of my life. I’m the kind who when bowling (yes, I bowl occasionally... have my own ball and shoes!) invariably asks what measure we are in. I know full well they are called frames, but I group my downed pins into measures. My favorite bowling meter is 10/4 by the way… as it is with my CB radio talk.

Those of us who use another language all the time sometimes forget that everyone around us doesn’t speak that language or understand it. That’s why sometimes we need to explain ourselves… even with spiritual things. When another is struggling without any sense of direction or stability in their lives, we can speak a word of peace – and if appropriate, carry that description to the cross where we achieve that peace that surpasses understanding or carnal comprehension.

Lost that peaceful easy feeling that once you overwhelmingly sensed at the cross? Maybe it’s time to go back for a refresher course in how a tragic death can instill in us such concord.

Call a ceasefire with your raging self.

This text set to Bach “Jesu, Joy of Our Desiring”

"Hopes deceive and fears annoy."

Hymn: “In the Cross of Christ I Glory” – John Bowring (1792-1872)

Typical Tune: RATHBUN

[Day three of four using this hymn for Holy Week.]

Let me put this hymnline in context of the stanza:

            When the woes of life o’ertake me, hopes deceive and fears annoy,

            Never shall the cross forsake me: Lo! it glows with peace and joy.

Our one hope in Jesus Christ will never deceive us; however, our many hopes for this life’s personal fulfillment may. This is our tendency to “wish” for things to happen, not our confidence in Christ. These wishful-thinkings can deceive us… even drive us mad if we’re not careful. The film NEBRASKA  is about a man who believes he has actually won the $1,000,000 as told by a flyer that came into everyone’s mailbox – and travels across country to claim it. That’s a great example of hopes that deceive, wishes that betray us or lead us astray. I think you get the picture without my giving you a list from my own embarrassing experiences.

We’ve already talked about my tendency to live in fear; and if you are in that pothole with me, you understand how “fears annoy.” Sure, they claw at you all the time causing worry and distress, but worst of all, they hold you back from doing what you KNOW you should do – even what you believe yourself called to do.

A recent sermon on David and Goliath made me more-totally-than-usual aware of my inability to face my fears and slay my giants. Perhaps that sermon and this hymnline will spur me on to good works – works that happen because I am slowly being freed of that proclivity.

Of course, the point of this hymn’s second stanza is that when the woes, deceits and annoyance of this life overwhelm us, we can rest assured that the Man of the cross will not abandon us, and that image of up-stretched timber serves as a constant reminder.

Today, you are likely to encounter many crosses: displayed on walls, hung around necks, atop church steeples, etc. Let each one remind you that even if you are convinced that you are drowning in the cares of this life, you are “no, never alone” – your REAL hope is still here.

“From the cross the radiance streaming adds new luster to the day.”

Hymn: “In the Cross of Christ I Glory” – John Bowring (1792-1872)
Typical Tune: RATHBUN (also OXFORD/STAINER)

[This is the second of four entries on this hymn.]
 
Ever have a nice piece of nice furniture that has simply lost its shine? The wooden surface seems dried up and drab? Needs some help? That’s what this hymnline is about: not furniture, of course – but lives!

On those days when life has lost its sheen, a focusing on the cross and the One who hung there may be the remedy. Looking up from what has dulled your day, surveying once again the wondrous cross – this may well bring a renewed luster to your day… to your life in general.

Those less-than-glossy furniture surfaces have most likely become that way due to neglect. We forget to polish them regularly and renew their gleam and expose the beauty of their grain. Unless they are beyond revival, most surfaces can be re-enlivened with a little elbow grease and a bottle of furniture polish.

I recall a television commercial from my growing-up years that featured a troop of kerchiefed ladies revitalizing the wooden pews of a church. [I think it was Murphy's Oil?] I’m sure I could apply this look-back-to-the-cross analogy to churches who have lost their brilliance… or have abandoned their first love!

There is no reason for any of us believers to continue in a lackluster life. We were meant to have life and have it more abundantly – with more shine than those who lack faith-based intentions. We need to go from satin finish to low gloss to high gloss! We need to have the glow of our salvation restored!

This hymnline reminds us that we can return to the beginning-place of our faith: the Man on the cross. He has plenty of elbow grease available in his mighty, everlasting arms, and my bet is that he would be more than delighted to do a re-shine… and not just to our surface, but deep down where the real gleam may have disappeared.

His radiance adds luster – what a good thought to take with you through this day.


A congregational singing of this hymn (RATHBUN tune)

"In the cross of Christ I glory, tow'ring o'er the wrecks of time."

"Cross of Rubble" - Ray Tapajna

Hymn: “In the Cross of Christ I Glory” – John Bowring (1792-1872)
Typical Tune: RATHBUN (also OXFORD/STAINER)

What does this word “glory” mean as it opens this hymn? At the time Bowring wrote these words, it meant “to boast.” Now, I know we are told since the Cradle Roll class that we should never boast or brag, but this bold statement has a precedent.

In Paul’s letter to the church at Galatia, he said, “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me.” (6:14) Newer versions actually use the word “brag”!

Some grandparents carry with them what they refer to as their “brag book.” It’s nothing more than a photo album of their grandchildren looking all bright, clever and achieving! We’re fine with that… we’ve come to expect it! Most of my friends are doing this via their i-phones!

We have only one area of life in which we can boast without shame: the redeeming act of Christ on the cross. Outside that, we become braggarts or annoyingly self-centered!

The ravages of sin-filled time have left wreckage in their path. Dismantled lives, dysfunctional families, dismembered countries, disoriented cultures… and the dis-es go on! Yet, high above all this carnage stands the Old Rugged Cross. And in that cross, it’s okay to take some pride… to rejoice in the victory… even to boast or brag. So have at it!

Hear this hymn played at the piano

“In times like these you need an anchor.”

“In times like these you need an anchor.”

Hymn: “In Times Like These”

Text and Tune: Ruth Caye Jones (1902-1972)

Tune: TIMES LIKE THESE

In the lexicon of musical terms, you’ll find “tonal center” listed as that place in a melody to which all the other notes seem to gravitate, particularly related to the listener. It’s the note (or tonality) that gives stability to the listener. It is best understood when one is listening to a song, and we know when it is complete because it lands on the final note. Try singing “Happy Birthday to You” and stop just before the last note; your ear is unsatisfied until the last note is sung. Now you get it?

This tonal center is often referred to as the “home” note or the “key” note (because that final note is usually the name of the key: e.g. E-flat). Most commonly, it’s called the “anchor” – the pitch or harmony that keeps the tune from going too far askew!

Enough of the music theory lesson for now, but in times like these, we really do need our life-song to have some stability. We find ourselves adrift in the unknown right now; we will do well to drop anchor so we won’t float away into fear or even despair.

Ruth Caye Jones’ only commonly-known hymn (published in 39 major hymnals) is a listing of what she thinks we need in these times: a Savior, a Rock, the Bible… and of course, an anchor. But the phrase we come away with – the one that goes with us when we finish singing this hymn – may be: “Be very sure, be very sure your anchor holds.”

For the next few days or weeks, don’t let the stress of life steal your song. Keep singing… stay in the key and realize that the tonal center is stabilizing the melody… and believe that the home note will soon arrive, and THIS part of the song will finally come to an end.

In case you haven’t caught on to this already, Christ himself is our Tonal Center, keeping us in tune – keeping our sequestered existence from becoming a dissonant mess.

Without sounding trite, let me say: “The Great Musician now is near, the stabilizing Jesus!”

Fresh Setting of This Hymn by the Cadet Sisters

https://youtu.be/kMTbqvSOLRA

A More Typical Singing

https://youtu.be/j3jK3x3iMOM