Ahhh, Beautiful Music!

Singing praise to God has to be one of my most favourite things ever to do! So often though, I think that we lose out when we sing and listen only to english songs. For example, I was listening to a song the other day with a friend which is in german, and it was soooooo beautiful, I just had to know what it meant - fortunately for me, my friend speaks german and he translated for me. I would like to share it with you here:

original text:
Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten, O Jesu, O Meister, zu helfen zu dir. Du suchest die Kranken und Irrenden treulich. Ach höre, wie wir Die Stimme erheben, um Hülfe zu bitten! Es sei uns dein gnädiges Antlitz erfreulich!

a literal translation:
We hasten with feeble but eager steps, O Jesus, O Master, to you for help. You faithfully sought out the sick and the erring ones. O hear how we raise up our voices to ask for your help! Let your merciful countenance bring us joy!

Johann Sebastian Bach, Cantata no. 78 (BWV 78) "Jesu, der du meine Seele."

May you be blessed as I was.

What makes music even more beautiful are the words of the songs themselves.

How many of us when singing a hymn in church actually stops to think about the meaning of the words that make up the song?

I was leading out in the Song Service last Sabbath. One of the songs we sang was Redeemed! (Hymn #338) written by Fanny Crosby. The words that spoke to me were, "The King in whose law I delight."

It is obvious to me that Fanny Crosby, who wasn't even a Seventh-day Adventist, saw the law as a delight and not as a burden.

It is surprising how many Christians see the law as a burden and not as a delight.

By the way, this is one of my favourite songs.

Sarah & Daryl,
Thank you for sharing those songs. Music means SO much to me, Daryl, and Yes! I always think of the words as we sing them in church, but, I have wondered the same thing about the sometimes rather listless singing. I was so blessed, as a child, in that radios and TVs were not around. On a long winter's evening, my Dad would get out his violin, and play folk songs and hymns, or on another evening, he might ask me to get out the old songbooks, and he'd say "We'll sing through the book." And, he often accompanied with our old pump organ. As a result, I know so many of the old hymns. I have said that if I were ever put in
prison for my faith, I'd have no problem about singing, for they are all in my mind. Dad had a quote which said, "Music self played is happiness self made." Yes, Daryl, I too, love that song, "Redeemed," and I love the phrase, "He giveth me songs in the night."

Daryl

That was a really interesting observation; and much appreciated...

Sarah

If you ever need translation of German words my wife speaks and writes it fluently; thanks for posting this. I too find the songs - even in the German language to be sung with such conviction and inspiration, that I am lifted a little higher to heaven - even if it is German!

Some of my favourite songs from choir - the ones that stick in my brain and will never come out - are the ones that are unintelligible to me the latin ones! I frequently find myself singing an Allelujah chorus from a latin aria and am lifted higher because of it.

I guess when we praise God it doesn't matter what language we are doing it in, the message comes across. Hallelujah, for He is Merciful and Wonderful!

I found this topic uplifting, and we need more uplifting topics.

Does anybody have any other beautiful music to share here?

I'm glad you brought this topic back up Daryl. There is some beautiful music out there but not always easy to find.

My favorite cd is by a group from the Pacific Northwest USA. They are called "Simple Gifts" and it is instrumental music with: guitar/flute/recorder/dulcimer/celtic harp/hammered dulcimer and even one song that is hand whistled that is beautiful and right on key.
The names of two cds are: Moonlight and Sunlight.

Another cd I love is the Andrews University Singers directed by Stephen Zork. There is no accompaniment to this choir. They pronounce each word so it is easy to understand. They sing the hymns from our church. "We Would See Jesus" is one of their cd's. I think they have two cd's out so far.

Christian Edition is my favorite Adventist group right now. I am blessed by the music they choose and the way they sing that music. The Lord also used them to help save my life a few years ago.

I am also blessed by the Bill Gaither Homecoming videos.

"The Messiah" is my absolute favorite piece of "high church" music.

I love the old "traditional" hymns! Especially Fanny Crosby songs! So many times she mentions sight in her songs and she couldn't see!

Denise

You know, I have been trying to find a way to discuss music and how it affects us, as well as how we treat those who are visiting our churches. Now, one of my favorite Christian music groups is non-Adventist, but I think they have the right idea in their lyrics. The name of the group is Casting Crowns and the song is "If We Are the Body"
Here are the lyrics:

It's crowded in worship today
As she slips in trying to fade into the faces
The girls teasing laughter is carrying farther than they know
Farther than they know

Chorus:
But if we are the body
Why aren't His arms reaching?
Why aren't His hands healing?
Why aren't His words teaching?
And if we are the body
Why aren't His feet going?
Why is His love not showing them there is a way?
There is a way

A traveler is far away from home
He sheds his coat and quietly sinks into the back row
The weight of their judgmental glances
Tells him that his chances are better out on the road

Jesus paid much too high a price
For us to pick and choose who should come
And we are the body of Christ

Jesus is the way

Stephanie,

A very moving song! They also have a song "Who Am I?" which is great. The whole CD is very inspiring.

Tom

Tom,
I know.... I have the CD as well! My husband is the one who found out about them. We love all of the songs on it!

Stephanie can you put one of the songs on here so we can listen to it? Does it have any kind of background rock beat?

I don't know how to do that..... some of the songs do....I can't remeber if they all do or not.....

Here are the lyrics to that beautiful song Tom mentioned..... "Who Am I"

Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name
Would care to feel my hurt
Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star
Would choose to light the way
For my ever wandering heart

Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are

Chorus:
I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
A vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours, I am Yours

Who Am I, that the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love and watch me rise again
Who Am I, that the voice that calmed the sea
Would call out through the rain
And calm the storm in me

I am Yours
Whom shall I fear
Whom shall I fear
'Cause I am Yours
I am Yours

Hi, Our Conference Treasurer presented a strong sermon this past Sabbath. The sermon nailed the concept of "He who dies with the most toys will not neccesarily WIN". While Mr. Novlesky was preaching, I had a song come to my mind, and I hummed it in my head as I heard the message from the pulpit. I so much wanted to sing this song out loud, and share the message in song that so grealy parralleled the sermon, but alas...We ended the church service with a hymn that was played and sung in dirge-like style, that did not tie in strongly with the message. The hymn was #565 "For the Beauty of the Earth".
-The song of "Three Wooden Crosses" by Randy Travis is inspirational, and I well up with tears each time I listen to this song. So I came home from church and played this song in my office, where I reflected on the sermon and had a good cry .
-This song is in my personal top 20 list of favourites.

[ July 27, 2004, 01:50 PM: Message edited by: Daniel Richards ]

The hymn "For the Beauty of the Earth" is not a "dirge!!" What made it seem like it to you was because whoever was playing the music accompanyment didn't know how to play it or the audience was half dead!!!

The hymn itself is a beautiful song with wonderful words.

Debbie,
Daniel didn't say the song itself was a dirge, but that the song was PLAYED AND SUNG IN "DIRGE-LIKE" fashion.

You're right Stephanie. I mis-read his post. My apologies.

Here's some beautiful music --

http://www.angelfire.com/musicals/agiftfromgod/recordings.html

John,
That is beautiful! Who is it? I love the arrangements! Where can I get them?

Stephanie, it's a guy named Jeremy Morada...the homepage for that is at

http://www.angelfire.com/musicals/agiftfromgod/

More about Jeremy at

http://www.angelfire.com/musicals/agiftfromgod2/index.html

He evidently was raised an SDA, but never saw the harm in worldly music until recently, just the last few years.

Pastor Larry K. linked that site in his GCO list the other day -- a nice find.

John,
thanks.


Debbie,
I figured out how to do it. First, I want to warn you that some of the songs, if not all, DO have a rock beat. When you go to the site, it may be a little loud, so you might want to turn your volume down. There are clips of each of their songs, along witht he lyrics to each of them.

Casting Crowns