I am a vegetarian and someone who hurls at the first sign of blood so I would not be on your speed dial in a health emergency. My aversion to any and all bloody images is visceral. As I student I worked for several years in a fast food joint. My compadres would rush me out of the kitchen if someone cut their fingers while cleaning chicken guts. They didn’t want to have to clean up two messes. This phobia of mine poses a problem as a supply organist as it isn’t my place to make editorial asides on the clergy’s bad hymn choices. I can and do hold my nose and pound out the ‘insipid ‘In the Garden’ , which I refer to as the Andy song. (And he walks with me. And he talks with me). I’ll think of my cheque as I plow through the down right comical ‘A Little Less of Me’ . (The word ‘me’ occurs 16 times not counting all of the repeats and the ‘I’s’. Score zilch for God or Jesus.)
Let me be a little kinder let me be a little blinder
To the faults of those about me let me praise a little more
Let me be when I am weary just a little bit more cheery
Think a little more of others and a little less of me
Let me be a little braver when temptation bits me waver
Let me strive a little harder to be all that I should be
Let me be a little meeker with the brother that is weaker
Let me think more of my neighbors and a little less of me
Let me be when I am weary just a little bit more cheery
Let me serve a little better those that I am striving for
Let me be a little meeker with the brother that is weaker
Think a little more of others and a little less of me.
The church hymnal supplement ‘Songs for a Gospel People’ has some truly horrible tunes and lyrics. The popular
‘Family of God’ is one such gross out hymn. “I’m so glad I’m a part of the Family of God,
I’ve been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His blood!”
There it is – ‘washed in the fountain, cleansed by his blood.’ Yes, I know why hymn writers pen these lyrics, atonement and all of that stuff, but it doesn’t mean I have to like them! I’ve played both of these gory hymns in 3 denominations, ‘There is a Fountain Filled with Blood’ and ‘Are you Washed in the Blood’. Proving yet again that bad taste crosses all theological chasms.
So clergy friends, if I happen to supply for you one Sunday in the future, please, I beg of you. keep the bloody references for another day. I need all of my intestinal fortitude to get through the communion images.
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Thank you to my Facebook friends who have offered some of their suggestions! Let’s get a list going people! Hymns that should be banned.
Normal
http://www.puritanboard.com/f67/questionable-hymns-54739/
http://www.catholic.com/magazine/articles/bad-poetry-bad-theology
Have organ shoes, will travel 