Everyone's favourite blogger Ben, put my hard-heartedness into words when he described this particular song as being,
about some dude called Ebenezer, and how he got a raise at work for being blessed with the way he uses fonts. I just assume he was a holy guy, which is why we get to sing about him a fair bit.The reason I'm revisiting this post is because Gary sounded off in the comments with this pearler,
I thought you young people just used your phones to google for answers to questions like these while the announcements are being given.
Here's a helpful excerpt: "This fine text about divine grace and providence contains various biblical images: Christ is the "fountain of life" (Ps. 36:9; Zech. 13:1) from which "streams of mercy" come. But Christ is also our "rock" (often used in the psalms along with "mount" or "Ebenezer," which means "stone of help"); he "rescues me from danger." Christ also "sought me when a stranger" (Col. 1:21) and "binds" or "seals" his own even when they are "prone to wander" (see Matt. 18:11-14)."
This line carries particular poignancy given that Roger Robinson, the hymn's author, "became successively a Calvinist Methodist, Congregationalist, Baptist, and finally a Unitarian." (Not that there's necessarily a causal link between that movement, btw.) Info from this link: http://www.hymnary.org/hymn/PsH/486
And no, I don't think that every phrase in every hymn, prayer or reading has to be instantly understandable to every hearer. Christian worship is not an episode of 'Hi-5'.
It should challenge toward growth in understanding and expression of Christian truth, not limit itself to the comprehension of the most ignorant.That could perhaps be the most fun way I've ever been labelled 'ignorant' in my life.
The question for me is how many layers of antiquated language do you want to wrap a song in. I mentioned in another of the comments in response to Ruth that,
this particular song, there's just one too many words/funny expressions that push me over the edge into the land of confusion. As Ben has helpfully pointed out, there is some guy in there called Ebenezer, someone else is interposing (I think this means playing a song in a different key), we're singing about 'founts of blessing' and 'mounts of unchanging love'. Antiquated doesn't equal bad. Often the language helps us to think further about the lyrics. In this case, I'm just confused.But for Gary's benefit, let's do a quick word association game. Okay, say the first thing that pops into your head when I say 'Ebenezer'...
...
'Scrooge', I hear you say? What about the second thing? 'Charles Dickens'? 'Bah Humbug!'? 'A Christmas Carol'? 'Ghost of Christmas past'?
Okay, who said, 'Stone of the Help'? I'm guessing two people - Gary and Roger Robinson.
Incidentally, I'm still home sick and I haven't been able to get the song out of my head now for three days.
my church sings a version of 'Come Thou Fount' with slightly modernised lyrics and a more appropriate music feel - we ripped it off Mars Hill Church. It's very easy to understand and great to sing - plus many young people say it's their favourite congregational to sing. it's here: http://www.scpc.org.au/2009/12/come-thou-font-of-every-blessing/
ReplyDeleteDid my comment not make it through? Anyway, personally I love this song and have had this discussion before, so it's close to my heart ... I did know "Ebenezer" meant stone of help and was a memorial set up in the old testament to God as helper - and am with Gary in concluding that if song lyrics send people to look up their OT then that is not a bad thing (or my previous church had a footnote on the music slide to save people the effort). I am, however, one of those weirdos that quite likes literary allusions and metaphors, and so think it's a shame to take that one out.
ReplyDeleteAh, no, I've just realised I didn't stick around to do the word verification thingy before.
ReplyDeleteEven if you had been at College it wouldn't have helped you get the song out of your head - we sang it in Chapel (again!)
ReplyDelete@Yocky
ReplyDeleteThanks Yocky. Great version! The words (that I picked up) aren't overly different, which in this case is a good thing. Btw, muscally Sarah commented in the background 'I love strings'.
@Ali
I just turned on word verification a few weeks ago, as my spam comments have gone through the roof, so I saw no sign of your comment until you mentioned it now.
I really don't mind the song. Lyrically I pick up enough of it to be satisfied with its content, and musically... well, as I said I can't get it out of my head.
However, you've managed to highlight both the benefit and the downside of the confusing lyrics in one go. It sparks us to thought and hopefully to reflection in the Scriptures, but on the other hand you need to footnote it for people to immediately understand. Artistically, there's something a bit sad about having to footnote.
True, and I understand the problem of not immediately understanding, which is perhaps a bigger issue in congregational singing than elsewhere (truth is, I read a lot of poetry, classic literature, and even listen to music that makes more obscure references without elaboration (or footnotes), so I don't think it's unusual in "art" per se). Maybe leave it to the service leader to explain in a little sermonette before the song. :) (I actually think the first time I sang this, which was the first ever ENGAGE conference and you can possibly blame Justin Moffatt for bringing it here from the US, it was explained.)
ReplyDeleteI'll leave it to your studies to develop your appreciation for metaphor.
ReplyDeleteLet that thought warm you through Hebrew vocab.
And I'd never really call someone who watches West Wing 'ignorant'.
On a related note to our interactions over the last couple of days, my wife and daughter were in awe of my rendition of the West Wing theme song at the beginning of each episode.
It's easy, just sing the names that come up on the screen and then there's some words about how they all save the world during the quiet bit, before piping back up with Martin Sheen's name at the end.
I have to warn you, it too is hard to remove from your head.
Bro, I find that a good song to get another song out of your head, is 'So Fresh, So Clean' by Outkast. Perhaps slightly less edifying than the church song, but at least promoting good personal hygene.
ReplyDeleteI still don't like it.
ReplyDelete