The Petra Zone

I'm compiling a list of popular hymns.... many churches still have traditional services, and this is one area that John can never get into because he has nothing like this in his set list.

SO... please suggest hymns that you think are popular, denomination-wide, and we'll take a look. He's seriously thinking of learning some of these and seeing where it goes.

Here are a few that I've come up with and have sung from early on. I'm not sure if these are known in other denominations, so give me your feedback and feel free to add onto the list.



Abide with Me
Holy, Holy Holy,
Angels from the Realms of Glory
I Surrender All
Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus
What a Friend We Have in Jesus
Crown Him with Many Crowns
The Lord's My Shepherd, I'll Not Want
Chief of Sinners Though I Be
I Am Trusting Thee Lord Jesus
In Loud Exalted Strains
Lord of Glory Who has Bought Us
Oh That I had a Thousand Voices
Our God Our Help in Ages Past
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty

Sue, these should get you started....


A mighty Fortress is our God

Be Thou my Vision

How Great thou Art

It is Well with my Soul

My Redeemer lives

Nothing but the blood of Jesus

Take my life and let it be

What a friend we have in Jesus

Love LIfted me

BAttle Hymn of the Republic

Stand Up Stand up for Jesus

Enosh wrote:"How Great Thou Art"

Yes! Good choice...I can see John singing this.

Also..."Look For Me" is another great hymn.

When I Survey would be sweet. Iona had a kick-ash version.

Also, Fernando Ortega has some nice arrangements.

I never heard of that one... there's a number on this list I've never heard of... and I've known nothing but traditional hymns for my first 35 years or so.

Boy, I missed so much of the early Christian music days....

sue d. wrote:I never heard of that one... there's a number on this list I've never heard of... and I've known nothing but traditional hymns for my first 35 years or so.

Boy, I missed so much of the early Christian music days....

Good Lord Sue, you should think about giving up your position as the charismatic interpretive spiritual belly dancer at your church and get out more. You may not be able to shake it like you are accustomed, but it will learn ya' somethin'.

Seriously, what you should do is contact CCLI and find out from them what the most in-demand hymns and arrangements are. They will have a VERY good cross-section of the nation's traditional church music trends.

At the risk of offending Greg X., might I suggest John try singing a version of "The Doxology" by basically singing the words of the Doxology to the Doxology instrumentals from "Not Of This World". If you don't know the words, any Methodist Hymnal should have them.

Also:

"How Firm A Foundation"

"Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee" -- You'll recognize the tune. It's Beethoven. You just can't go wrong with Beethoven.

"Gloria Patri" -- Again, any Methodist hymnal will have this.

"There is a Fountain Filled With Blood"


I can't believe no one has mentioned "The Old Rugged Cross". It's never been one of my favorites. The melody seems too labored somehow. But lots of people just love it. The message is wonderful, but I'd almost prefer it as a poem.

I would not recommend using either "Doxology" or "Gloria Patri" in Methodist churches. These songs are a part of the Methodist liturgy every single Sunday, so it would be sort of redundant for them. However, in many other churches, they will be songs they congregation may have heard, but not something they use all the time.

And if he does "Holy, Holy, Holy", do all the verses. They are really powerful.

Funny but True Story about Hymns:

The year was 1999. I had just moved to a new city and was looking for a church. On my first Sunday at the church that eventually became mine, the worship leader said the hymn number and we all turned to it.

Suddenly I felt like an old, old man, for there in the hymnal on the page we were about to sing from was the song, "As The Deer". (You know ... "As the deer panteth for the water, so my heart longeth after thee ... you alone are my heart's desire, and I long to worship thee ... ")

Yes. As the Deer was in the hymnal!!!

I felt like I should be filing for Social Security and Medicare right there.

I think the Old Rugged Cross would be fantastic done in 4/4 with a Third Day style arrangement, similar to their arrangement of Agnus Dei.

GMan

I know John likes to do his own thing and not copy anyone, but Selah has some great hymns that maybe he could listen to and then do his own thing. My favorite one of theirs is Wonderful Merciful Savior.