Tuesday, December 8, 2009

I have a question (please raise your hands)

Occasionally an opportunity comes up after hearing the word of God powerfully brought to life through faithful preaching, to post something so trivial that it borders on embarrassing. Tonight is that night. I will get to the challenge in a later post, however what caught my attention this evening, indeed nearly took my eye out, was the phenomenon of hand-raising during singing. Particularly the best combination of words that is guaranteed to get the closeted charismatics to burst forth in the exposing of the underarms. Even those who have secretly attached strips of velcro to their tops from pit to wrist to prevent them from the practice, are guaranteed to be ripping those hands to the heavens with the benefit of some choice words.

Tonight it was the line from one of the new songs

When I rise, into the air.
Up they shot.

So here is my challenge; What are the other sure-fire words to almost magnetically raise the arms? I havn't paid attention before, but I would anitcipate the words 'lift' and 'exalt' would be particularly effective. Some words with more syllables can also be provocative, such as 'indescribable'. Another variation is the old fashioned use of 'power' to inevitably induce the greatly underrated fist clench.


Is it possible to write the ultimate hand-raising song? Perhaps entitled Lord, I rise to praise your indescribable power?

5 comments:

  1. My New Song - "Reaching out for love undying"

    The chorus I just wrote; (insert 4 chord movement underneath for desired level of 'epic concert effect')

    "I'm reaching out for love undying,
    Oh Saviour, we rise to praise you.
    Love unmeasured, love of power,
    I lift my heart, I'm yours, take me.
    I lift my heart, I'm yours - I'm reaching out for love."

    Hey, I can't help myself, here's the whole thing.

    VERSE 1
    I feel I new horizon, meeting me in the desert.
    A spring of water, flower of light, My Saviour Jesus, Hosanna in the highest.

    PRE-CHORUS
    I lift up my voice, I give you all I am,
    Forever, I will stand and sing of your glory.

    CHORUS
    I'm reaching out for love undying,
    Oh Saviour, we rise to praise you.
    Love unmeasured, love of power,
    I lift my heart, I'm yours, take me.
    I lift my heart, I'm yours - I'm reaching out for love.


    VERSE 2

    I feel a new awakening, see it coming, revival.
    Oh Lord you are all my beauty, my radiance, Jesus, Hallejuah in the highest.

    PRE CHORUS
    CHORUS

    BRIDGE

    And we will dance and laugh, we'll raise our hands in power,
    Lift up your holy name and enthrone you; King of love!

    SHOUT CHORUS
    I'm reaching out for love undying,
    Oh Saviour, we rise to praise you.
    Love unmeasured, love of power,
    I lift my heart, I'm yours, take me.
    I lift my heart, I'm yours - I'm reaching out for love.

    I'm reaching out for love undying,
    Oh Beautiful Jesus we praise you!
    Holy Holy, Holy Holy,
    Hosanna, I'm yours, take me.
    Hosanna I'm yours - I'm reaching out for love.

    ***

    I'll contact Hillsong for a contract this afternoon. That was too easy.

    MD

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  2. Thanks MD. Great work. I can sense a record deal any day now.

    By the way, you are indeed a mysterious creature who occasionally comments on my blog and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. But who are you?

    Acevedo Williams is your alias. And yet I think I have discovered your real identity through a series of clues not least of which was Kermit's appearance on the blimp museum blog.

    Now are you going to reveal your true identity or shall I?

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  3. There's nothing mysterious sir.

    I simply can't get my wordpress identity to work!

    I would strongly advise people to visit romans1133.wordpress.com rather than the blimp museum.

    Though I haven't updated for a couple of months now, at least it correctly represents who I am.

    As a shameless plug, I'll be returning to romans1133.wordpress.com in the new year, on a regular, passionate basis. If you could, good sir, link me and read me, that would be choice.

    MD.

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  4. My favorite quirk from songs is when ever the word high is sung- we almost always go up a few notes (or lots) and vice versa- low or down, down a few notes we go

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  5. A good observation. It really is helpful to analyse what we are actually doing when we are singing so as to understand that we are engaged in an action that is expressing our emotion. And as such what are the songwriters capitalising on to bring forth a particular emotion - words, musical key etc - and where is it helpful and unhelpful.

    ReplyDelete