What did you sing at church today?

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  • Heron wrote: »
    Heron wrote: »
    '
    Kontakion for the Dead. Always wonderful.

    All 24 verses? Or just the preliminary verse (and possibly Verse 1), which is all that appear in many English Hymn Books?

    The version used is the 'Birbeck' shown here (link to RSCM).

    Please may I ask for a link to the '24 verses' - it seems my google-fu is weak.

    Cheers

    Heron

    Link: https://www.oca.org/files/PDF/Music/Burial/burial-of-priest.pdf starting at page 112.

    My original comment was partly in jest. Most Orthodox are unaware of the full version, which is now used (as far as I am aware) only in the Russian tradition for the funeral of a priest. At other times (memorial services and the funeral of a layperson [or in current Greek tradition the funeral of any adult]) only the shorter form is used.

    Historically there are three Kontakia for the Departed, used on different occasions. The other two have completely dropped out of use.
  • Gill HGill H Shipmate
    The version Heron linked to was sung at the funeral of my mother (because my father, a retired Canon, loved it and we had an officiant who could sing it).
    It was then also used at my father’s funeral.
    I will always have a special place in my heart for it.
  • HeronHeron Shipmate
    Heron wrote: »
    Heron wrote: »
    '
    Kontakion for the Dead. Always wonderful.

    All 24 verses? Or just the preliminary verse (and possibly Verse 1), which is all that appear in many English Hymn Books?

    The version used is the 'Birbeck' shown here (link to RSCM).

    Please may I ask for a link to the '24 verses' - it seems my google-fu is weak.

    Cheers

    Heron

    Link: https://www.oca.org/files/PDF/Music/Burial/burial-of-priest.pdf starting at page 112.

    My original comment was partly in jest. Most Orthodox are unaware of the full version, which is now used (as far as I am aware) only in the Russian tradition for the funeral of a priest. At other times (memorial services and the funeral of a layperson [or in current Greek tradition the funeral of any adult]) only the shorter form is used.

    Historically there are three Kontakia for the Departed, used on different occasions. The other two have completely dropped out of use.

    Thank you. I think it needed more knowledge of obscure orthodox lore than I have to get the jest!

    Anyway, I had a look through (just the Kontakion, not the other 244 pages of the priestly funeral liturgy), and there some wonderful texts:

    'Let us all be consumed with tears when we behold these earthly remains stretched out, when we all draw near to kiss them and perhaps utter words like these: Lo, you have abandoned us who love you. You speak no longer with us, O friend. Why do you not speak as you once did?'

    'I beheld a dying child and mourned my life'

    And there are some....unusual texts......

    'We are inflamed with ecstasy if we but hear there is light eternal'

    'all-holy and unwedded virgin' (!!!!!!)

    Still, I'd better move on before I get ticketed for straying off topic...

    Cheers

    Heron
  • OblatusOblatus Shipmate
    Ah, the dreaded "gathering note" that means no-one is quite sure when to come in. I took to positioning myself where I could see the organist's hands![/quote]

    There's a CD of Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament from St Mary Magdalene's, Toronto, made from tapes clandestinely recorded by someone in the Ritual Choir, fascinatingly demonstrating Healey Willan's gathering note at the start of hymns. A bit weird; I imagine various members of the congregation would start singing the first syllable at various times during that note, and then move ahead with the organ. "Je-" "Je-" "Je-" "Je-sus Christ is ris'n today..."

  • Of course there is also the loudly blasted, ahead-of-its-time gathering note that indicates a key change!
  • PuzzlerPuzzler Shipmate
    Ooh. Exciting or excruciating?
  • Neither, really!
  • I call those sorts of things a "WHOMP" thanks to one of my first choir directors.
  • I'm not privy to what is to be sung at Our Place this coming Sunday, but, as it's Remembrance Sunday, I have no doubt that God save the King will be sung by at least a few of those present - sometimes, half the congregation are foreign nationals IYSWIM (Indian or Nigerian students, mostly).
  • So not their King, except as Head of the Commonwealth.
  • I call those sorts of things a "WHOMP" thanks to one of my first choir directors.
    “WHOMP” is what I call them too.

  • So not their King, except as Head of the Commonwealth.

    Quite so. There was a time when many of the Faithful were from countries which had not been conquered and enslaved by the British, but the Poles and other Central/Eastern Europeans disappeared post-Brexit.

    FatherInCharge would insist on having GSTK if he were the only British national in the church, loyal patriot and royalist that he is.
  • Gill HGill H Shipmate
    I am playing for the Remembrance Day service on Sunday, so I get to choose the hymns.

    O God our help
    Eternal Father

    During communion -

    Make me a channel of your peace
    Let there be love shared among us

    All people that on earth do dwell.

    I have therefore managed to avoid the ones which my Dad hated, ie I vow to thee my country and O valiant hearts. The latter he would never allow in our church.


  • SpikeSpike Ecclesiantics & MW Host, Admin Emeritus
    So not their King, except as Head of the Commonwealth.

    And Supreme Governor of the denomination of the church where they are worshipping
  • SpikeSpike Ecclesiantics & MW Host, Admin Emeritus
    Gill H wrote: »

    I have therefore managed to avoid the ones which my Dad hated, ie I vow to thee my country and O valiant hearts. The latter he would never allow in our church.


    Quite right too, along with Onward Christian Soldiers
  • Alan29Alan29 Shipmate
    Goodness knows what we will do. This Sunday is a major feast in the RCC that (unusually) replaces the Sunday. Probably the silence at the start and that's all. We'll see.
  • ArethosemyfeetArethosemyfeet Shipmate, Heaven Host
    We're suffering I vow to thee my country this Sunday.
  • O valiant hearts was always sung on Armistice Day at The Tin Tabernacle Of My Youth. I loathed it then, and I loathe it still.

    I can't recall if we ever had I vow to thee.
  • This will be good ...

    Enthronement of the Archbishop of Wales (not sure why I got invited,but I was!)

    "For all the saints" - Sine Nomine.
    ""Hiraeth - Grace Williams (solo harp).
    "View me, Lord" - Richard Lloyd (choral introit).
    "Lord, who in thy perfect wisdom" - Blaenwern (some verses sung in Welsh).
    "There's a wideness in God's mercy" - Corvedale.
    "O thou who camest from above" - Hereford.
    "The Call of Wisdom" - Will Todd (anthem).
    "Calon Lan" (sung in Welsh).
    "Here is love, vast as the ocean" - Dim ond Iesu (sung in Welsh).
    "How shall I sing that majesty?" - Coe Fen.
    Organ postlude: Widor Toccata.

    There were also several pre-service voluntaries, including RVW's "Variations on Rhosymedre".

    It was notable how similar are the tunes of "Calon Lan" and "Dim ond Iesu".

    Meanwhile, our own modest offerings this morning:

    “God is our strength and refuge” - Dambusters' March.
    “Put peace into each others’ hands” - St. Columba.
    “Once crimson poppies bloomed” - Little Cornard.
    “God of grace and God of glory” - Rhuddlan.
    "Thou, whose almight Word" - Moscow.



    "
  • Gracious RebelGracious Rebel Shipmate
    edited November 9
    This will be good ...

    Enthronement of the Archbishop of Wales (not sure why I got invited,but I was!)

    "For all the saints" - Sine Nomine.
    ""Hiraeth - Grace Williams (solo harp).
    "View me, Lord" - Richard Lloyd (choral introit).
    "Lord, who in thy perfect wisdom" - Blaenwern (some verses sung in Welsh).
    "There's a wideness in God's mercy" - Corvedale.
    "O thou who camest from above" - Hereford.
    "The Call of Wisdom" - Will Todd (anthem).
    "Calon Lan" (sung in Welsh).
    "Here is love, vast as the ocean" - Dim ond Iesu (sung in Welsh).
    "How shall I sing that majesty?" - Coe Fen.
    Organ postlude: Widor Toccata.

    There were also several pre-service voluntaries, including RVW's "Variations on Rhosymedre".

    It was notable how similar are the tunes of "Calon Lan" and "Dim ond Iesu".
    "

    Sounds amazing! We're going to be singing a hymn to Dim ond Iesu this morning at Remembrance service, a new one to me by Martin Leckebusch

    (which begins

    Show me how to stand for justice:
    how to work for what is right,
    how to challenge false assumptions,
    how to walk within the light. )

    with final verse by Simon Woodman

    (which begins

    When the noise of war confuses,
    make your peace our steady song;
    from the wreckage of our violence
    build the world for which we long)

    Looking forward to this!






  • ArethosemyfeetArethosemyfeet Shipmate, Heaven Host
    We're having:
    Great is thy faithfulness
    Make me a channel of your peace
    Abide with me
    I vow to thee my country
    Will your Anchor hold

    For reference last year we had:
    Abide with me
    Make me a channel of your peace
    I vow to thee my country
    O Lord my God, when I in Awesome Wonder

    And the year before:
    Abide with Me
    Make me a channel of your peace
    I vow, to thee my country
    O Lord my God, when I in Awesome Wonder
    Look forward in faith

    Change. The. Record.
  • Well, it's slightly different. And I for one find it quite hard to choose appropriate hymns; one which comes round quite often is "Behold, the mountain of the Lord" to "Glasgow".
  • DardaDarda Shipmate
    At 9 o'clock Communion:
    O God, Our Help in Ages Past - ST ANNE
    Make me a channel of your peace - own tune
    Lord, for the years - LORD OF THE YEARS

    At the parade service, which followed wreath laying, roll of honour and two minutes silence at the war memorial outside the churchyard gates:
    O God, Our Help in Ages Past - ST ANNE
    In Christ Alone - own tune
    Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer - CWM RHONDDA
    The National Anthem
  • PigletPiglet All Saints Host, Circus Host
    ... one which comes round quite often is "Behold, the mountain of the Lord" to "Glasgow".
    I wish it would come round occasionally here! :mrgreen:

    Your Bishop's enthronement music sounds pretty awesome though! View me, Lord is a wee gem, and "Calon Lan" evokes fond memories of a male-voice choir my dad used to sing in, and of recordings he had of the Treorchy choir singing it. :heart:

    Our seasonal offerings were nothing if not predictable:

    O God, our help in ages past - St Anne
    Peace is flowing like a river
    Eternal Father, strong to save - Melita
    Put peace into each other's hands - St Columba
    God is our strength and refuge - Dambusters' March

    We didn't get GSTK, probably because our rector is a rabid republican; I had to stifle a touch of schadenfreude when the marching band went quite loudly past the church on their way to the War Memorial in the middle of her sermon ... :naughty:

  • ArethosemyfeetArethosemyfeet Shipmate, Heaven Host
    Well, it's slightly different. And I for one find it quite hard to choose appropriate hymns; one which comes round quite often is "Behold, the mountain of the Lord" to "Glasgow".

    Which would be fine. Or a setting of Psalm 46. Or any of:
    Cry freedom in the name of God
    Be still, my soul
    God is working his purpose out
    Jesus, lover of my soul
    Jesus, remember me, when you come into your kingdom
    Peace is flowing like a river
    The peace of the earth be with you
    or
    or
    or

    I did the best I could with IVTTMC, recording the first verse single voice then giving full welly and harmony to the second. Whether anyone took the hint about relative importance I couldn't say.
  • As I said earlier, I don't know what was sung at Our Place, except for the inevitability of the National Dirge (sung as a separate item IYSWIM), but I would guess that the four main hymns would correspond closely to the offerings at @Piglet's Place.

    I don't offhand recall ever singing Put peace into each other's hands, but Peace is flowing like a river was popular with our late Reader, and may well have been sung during Communion (we don't have a Gradual hymn).
  • Well, it's slightly different. And I for one find it quite hard to choose appropriate hymns; one which comes round quite often is "Behold, the mountain of the Lord" to "Glasgow".

    Which would be fine. Or a setting of Psalm 46.
    "God is our strength and refuge" (to the Dambusters' March) fits the bill. It was our first hymn today.

  • Alan29Alan29 Shipmate
    edited November 9
    Well we had the Lectionary readings for the day, but started with 2 minutes silence at 11.00, and ended with Abide With Me which is among the small handful of trad hymns we sing, but which was sung mightily by the congregation.
  • Baptist TrainfanBaptist Trainfan Shipmate
    edited November 9
    Piglet wrote: »
    ... one which comes round quite often is "Behold, the mountain of the Lord" to "Glasgow".
    I wish it would come round occasionally here! :mrgreen:
    Not well known in England except in the URC. We made a wonderful job of it some years ago at the little chapel in Chappel (near Sudbury). Only about 25 people - but did they sing!

  • ArethosemyfeetArethosemyfeet Shipmate, Heaven Host
    Well, it's slightly different. And I for one find it quite hard to choose appropriate hymns; one which comes round quite often is "Behold, the mountain of the Lord" to "Glasgow".

    Which would be fine. Or a setting of Psalm 46.
    "God is our strength and refuge" (to the Dambusters' March) fits the bill. It was our first hymn today.

    Indeed. "God is our refuge and our strength, in straits a present aid" would also serve.
  • NenyaNenya All Saints Host, Ecclesiantics & MW Host
    Jesus, you are all I need (with actions)
    Praise the Lord, O my soul (I'll praise in the valley, praise on the mountain)
    Blessed be your name
    Grand earth has quaked before (Through it all my eyes are on you)
    So I'll stand with arms high
    I raise a hallelujah

    Several of these were new to me.
  • KarlLBKarlLB Shipmate
    O God Our Help
    Eternal Father Strong to Save (appropriate; KarlLB#1 is in basic training for the Navy at HMS Raleigh)
    In Christ there is no East or West
    The Monarchist Dirge
  • WandererWanderer Shipmate
    Remembrance Sunday Parade service with uniformed organisations -started at 10.50, rather than our usual 10am communion service. Church filled to capacity (c200, rather than our usual c50 people):
    I vow to thee my country
    O God our help in ages past
    Make me a channel of your peace
    Guide me O thou great redeemer
    God save the king
    We had an organist and trumpeter from the nearby university. I've never heard the Last Post played on the organ before. The trumpeter played Reveille at the end of the two minutes silence. Both organ and trumpet played for Guide me O thou great redeemer. A pity the singing did not do justice to the accompaniment. We are sadly a church that "don't sing" (though vibrant in other ways) and it wasn't helped by not having enough service sheets.
  • On reflection, Our Place may also have had Eternal Father strong to save on account of the former nearby naval dockyard. There are still a few elderly folk in our area who worked at (or whose spouses worked at) the yard.

    Alas! my Spy was away this morning, attending a Girl Guides' church parade.
  • HeronHeron Shipmate
    Today was the one Sunday morning of the year that we do Mattins - enabling us to troop out to meet at the War Memorial for the Civic Remembrance.

    Sumsion Reponses
    Ireland in F Te Deum
    Psalm 17 to a chant - Turle in E flat
    Jubilate to a chant - W Russell in E flat

    The anthem was lovely: Forbes L'Estrange's 'Go forth in peace'

    Hymn: Lord of Lords and King eternal

    And we sang the national anthem.

    Voluntary was 'Nimrod' (Elgar/arr Brewer). I smiled as I remembered reviews of the new filml 'The Choral' and how Elgar is.....not sympathetically portrayed.

    Outside, there were two hymns accompanied by the Salvation Army band, Abide with me + 'I've forgotten'.

    I was moved to see representatives of different faiths, political parties, military units, police and ambulance services all getting behind 'we do not celebrate war, we remember, we work for peace'.

    I am a bit of a Forbes L'Estrange fan.

    Cheers

    Heron



  • Heron wrote: »
    I was moved to see representatives of different faiths, political parties, military units, police and ambulance services all getting behind 'we do not celebrate war, we remember, we work for peace'.
    Very pleased to read that.

  • Heron wrote: »
    I was moved to see representatives of different faiths, political parties, military units, police and ambulance services all getting behind 'we do not celebrate war, we remember, we work for peace'.
    Very pleased to read that.

    Indeed. Another hopeful sign of the times, maybe?
  • Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation (Regent Square)
    Tell Out my Soul (Woodlands)
    Hail Thou Once Despised Jesus (Hyfrydol)
    O The Deep Deep Love Of Jesus (Ebenezer)

    We had a two minutes silence, despite the fact that it was 10am rather than 11am. We haven't had a full Remembrance Service since the centenary, and really we do the minimum necessary to not offend the enthusiasts for it.

    I wore a poppy.
  • EnochEnoch Shipmate
    I haven't been following this thread and can't remember whether I've grumbled about one of our hymns this morning, but it was one by Fred Kaan with the first line
    "For the healing of the nations."

    Most of it was made up of bland, worthy, but hardly earth shattering sentiments, but one phrase in the third verse struck me as so odd that I stopped singing,
    "All that kills abundant living,
    Let it from the earth be banned;
    Pride of status, race or schooling,
    Dogmas that obscure your plan."
    Pride of status and race are a bad thing, but, to me, adding schooling to that list gives the immediate impression that Christians are being exhorted to deprecate education, something most people would regard as good and valuable. I think I can see what Kaan, who was already not one of my favourite hymn writers, might be trying to express, but he really does not do it very well. Besides, there are plenty of other things that have an even greater capacity to 'kill abundant living' than those three.


  • ArethosemyfeetArethosemyfeet Shipmate, Heaven Host
    I don't know, it sounds like you're reaching for a problem where none exists. We're all aware of people who brag about where they were educated or use it to gain advantage, and indeed people who brag about their qualifications to Lord it over other people.
  • Nick TamenNick Tamen Shipmate
    edited November 9
    Enoch wrote: »
    Pride of status and race are a bad thing, but, to me, adding schooling to that list gives the immediate impression that Christians are being exhorted to deprecate education, something most people would regard as good and valuable.
    I don’t think it gives any such impression, unless you’re determined to find fault. As @Arethosemyfeet says, you’re reaching for a problem that doesn’t exist. It’s not schooling that’s the problem according to the text; it’s pride of schooling. The problem is thinking your schooling makes you better than others who didn’t go to schools deemed to be on a par with yours.


  • That's how I read it, too. And we all know which schools might be on the list.
  • TruronTruron Shipmate
    Interesting to see the variations in what you all had. Unusually this year I was not booked for any Remembrance services (I wasn't sorry especially after last year's jingoistic experience) but supplied for an RC colleague.

    Sunday Mass for the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica

    When time began God walked with man (St Catherine)*

    * a new one for me but good lyrics and came from the RC Morning Prayer apparemtly

    Mass of Creation but with Salazar Gloria
    Plainsong Alleluia
    All that I am all that I do
    Be still for the presence of the Lord
    Faith of our fathers (Sawston)

    Those affected by war and the souls of the war dead were duly prayed for and the Intercession ended with one minute of silence. I must be honest and say I thought it much nicer than what usually gets dished up in the C of E on this occasion.

    Evensong on Trinity 21

    Thy kingdom come O God (St Cecilia)
    Hark my soul it is the Lord (St Bees)
    The day thou gavest (St Clement)

    Not great singing for most of the Mass but they bawled out Faith of our fathers like a football crowd 🤣

    Tonight was quiet and restful.
  • PigletPiglet All Saints Host, Circus Host
    Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation (Regent Square) ...
    Heresy!

    Should be to none other than Westminster Abbey! :mrgreen:
  • Absolutely (but not set unsingably high).
  • Alan29Alan29 Shipmate
    Absolutely (but not set unsingably high).

    It is one of the finest tunes in the hymn repertory IMHO.
    Anyway we had our annual Mass for those bereaved last evening. The music was a mixture of modern RC songs (Eagles Wings, Be Not Afraid etc) and Taize chants, the latter played quietly as instrumentals while the names were read out and relatives lit candles and placed them on the altar steps.
    It was achingly beautiful and much appreciated by those (over 100) who attended.
  • Alan29 wrote: »
    Absolutely (but not set unsingably high).

    It is one of the finest tunes in the hymn repertory IMHO.
    It would be interesting to know how it was played in Purcell's day - for instance, was it faster and "lighter" than we usually sing it nowadays? I have no idea!

  • Alan29Alan29 Shipmate
    edited November 12
    Alan29 wrote: »
    Absolutely (but not set unsingably high).

    It is one of the finest tunes in the hymn repertory IMHO.
    It would be interesting to know how it was played in Purcell's day - for instance, was it faster and "lighter" than we usually sing it nowadays? I have no idea!

    If memory serves me right it was origially the final section of an anthem, so designed to be sung by the choir. And here it is, lightly sung in context.

    Edited hyperlink - Nenya, Ecclesiantics Host
  • That's very nice. The repetition of the last couple of lines is very Purcellian!
  • Each to their own, of course, and although I also associate Christ is made the sure foundation with Westminster Abbey, it does go quite well to Regent Square.
    :wink:
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