Favorite UU hymns (Earth, gospel, Kingdom, grace, blood)

[des]

Yes, UCC. I'm guessing there is a lot of overlap. We sing "inclusive language" hymns, and also some of the heavily trinitarian elements are reduced. We also sing things like "We shall Overcome", Lift every voice and sing" that sort of thing. BTW, I noticed at the UU church that they often sang just one verse. I liked that. Of course, that goes for some hymns more than others.

I don't yet consider the UU "my congregation". Ask me in a year maybe. :-)
Of course, it is a valid point.

--des

Originally Posted by lilithu

By "we" do you mean your UCC congregation or your UU congregation? Just curious as to how much overlap the UUs have with the UCC in terms of hymns.

I like the twist around too.

[lilithu]

We sang another one of my favorite hymns today:

What Wondrous Love Is This

What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul,
What wondrous love is this, O my soul?
What wondrous love is this, that brings my heart such bliss,
and takes away the pain of my soul, of my soul,
and takes away the pain of my soul.

When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down
When I was sinking down, sinking down,
When I was sinking down, beneath my sorrows ground,
friends to me gathered round, O my soul, O my soul,
friends to me gathered round, O my soul.

To love and to all friends, I will sing, I will sing,
To love and to all friends, I will sing.
To love and to all friends, who pain and sorrow mend,
with thanks unto the end, I will sing, I will sing,
With thanks unto the end, I will sing.


Just for fun I thought I'd put up the original lyrics to this hymn, before they were UUized. This is what we sang in Lutheran school.

What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul!

When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down,
When I was sinking down, sinking down,
When I was sinking down beneath God’s righteous frown,
Christ laid aside His crown for my soul for my soul,
Christ laid aside His crown for my soul.

To God and to the Lamb I will sing, I will sing;
To God and to the Lamb I will sing;
To God and to the Lamb, Who is the great I AM,
While millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing,
While millions join the theme, I will sing.

And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on;
And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on.
And when from death I’m free I’ll sing His love for me,
And through eternity I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on,
And through eternity I’ll sing on.


Strangely, I like the Christian version of the song too. I don't agree with its theology but there something about hymns such that I'll happily sing words that would never pass my lips in speaking. I just pay attention to the feeling, not the meaning. *shrug*

[des]

Ours' is a little more like the "Christian" one. The difference is there is no substitutional atonement theme, as I think too many UCCs do not believe in that. Verse two has been omitted. And I still do like it, and yes, I still dont' agree with it. I usually will sing hymns that I don't agree with. I tend to think that music transcends the lyrics. However, there a few words I can't sing, for instance in Amazing Grace, I can't sing "that saved a wretch like me". I do know the guy was a slave trader, so he really was a wretch.

--des

Originally Posted by lilithu

We sang another one of my favorite hymns today:

What Wondrous Love Is This

What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul,
What wondrous love is this, O my soul?
What wondrous love is this, that brings my heart such bliss,
and takes away the pain of my soul, of my soul,
and takes away the pain of my soul.

When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down
When I was sinking down, sinking down,
When I was sinking down, beneath my sorrows ground,
friends to me gathered round, O my soul, O my soul,
friends to me gathered round, O my soul.

To love and to all friends, I will sing, I will sing,
To love and to all friends, I will sing.
To love and to all friends, who pain and sorrow mend,
with thanks unto the end, I will sing, I will sing,
With thanks unto the end, I will sing.


Just for fun I thought I'd put up the original lyrics to this hymn, before they were UUized. This is what we sang in Lutheran school.

What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul!

When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down,
When I was sinking down, sinking down,
When I was sinking down beneath God’s righteous frown,
Christ laid aside His crown for my soul for my soul,
Christ laid aside His crown for my soul.

To God and to the Lamb I will sing, I will sing;
To God and to the Lamb I will sing;
To God and to the Lamb, Who is the great I AM,
While millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing,
While millions join the theme, I will sing.

And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on;
And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on.
And when from death I’m free I’ll sing His love for me,
And through eternity I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on,
And through eternity I’ll sing on.


Strangely, I like the Christian version of the song too. I don't agree with its theology but there something about hymns such that I'll happily sing words that would never pass my lips in speaking. I just pay attention to the feeling, not the meaning. *shrug*

[des]

I really like this hymn htat is in the UCC hymnal.

--des

O For a World

O for a world where everyone respects each other's ways.
Where love is lived and all is done with justice and with praise.

O for a world where goods are shared and misery relieved.
Where truth is spoken, children spared, equality achieved.

We welcome one world family and struggle with each choice
that opens up to unity and gives our vision voice.

The poor are rich, the weak are strong, the foolish ones are wise.
Tell all who mourn outcasts belong, who perishes will rise.

O for a world preparing for God's glorious reign of peace.
Where time and tears wil be no more and all but love will cease.

[lilithu]

We've sung this hymn many times before and I've always liked it but for some reason it seemed especially beautiful today. (Man, our service rocked today!! )

For the earth, forever turning;
For the skies, for all the seas;
For our lives, for all we cherish,
Sing we our joyful song of peace.

For the mountains, hills, and pastures;
In their silent majesty;
For the stars, for all the heavens,
Sing we our joyful song of peace.

For the sun, for rain and thunder,
For the seasons’ harmony;
For our lives, for all creation,
Sing we our joyful praise to Thee.

For the world we raise our voices,
For the home that gives us birth;
In our joy, we sing, returning,
Home to our blue-green hills of earth.

[des]

Is this a version of For the Beauty of the Earth?
(or would you know? :-))

--des

Originally Posted by lilithu

We've sung this hymn many times before and I've always liked it but for some reason it seemed especially beautiful today. (Man, our service rocked today!! )

For the earth, forever turning;
For the skies, for all the seas;
For our lives, for all we cherish,
Sing we our joyful song of peace.

For the mountains, hills, and pastures;
In their silent majesty;
For the stars, for all the heavens,
Sing we our joyful song of peace.

For the sun, for rain and thunder,
For the seasons’ harmony;
For our lives, for all creation,
Sing we our joyful praise to Thee.

For the world we raise our voices,
For the home that gives us birth;
In our joy, we sing, returning,
Home to our blue-green hills of earth.

[lilithu]

Originally Posted by des

Is this a version of For the Beauty of the Earth?
(or would you know? :-))

--des

I'm not sure. Can you hum a few bars?


No, we sing that song too (with the words changed of course). This is a different song with a different tune.

[des]

LOL!! Very funny! Sure mm,m,mm,m,mm,mm,mmm :-)

--des

Originally Posted by lilithu

I'm not sure. Can you hum a few bars?


No, we sing that song too (with the words changed of course). This is a different song with a different tune.

[applewuud]

Originally Posted by des

Is this a version of For the Beauty of the Earth?
(or would you know? :-))

--des

"For the Earth Forever Turning" (which is really "Blue Green Hills of Earth") and "For the Beauty" are both from the Missa Gaia (Mass for the Earth) by the Paul Winter Consort. They perform this every year at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in NYC around Earth Day. The harmonies in the UU hymnal aren't quite the same as on the CD; I think sometimes they do a medley of "Blue Green Hills" and "For the Beauty".

Jim Scott is a UU singer/songwriter who was with the Consort when they wrote and recorded the Missa Gaia, and does the Missa at UU churches occasionally (I saw it at the UU church in Concord MA last year). It's really amazing and inspiring.