PiñaBlog Bits and Pieces of Piña

one of our seminary professor’s pet peeves was non-theologians writing all of our worship choruses - he had a good point

Posted by marcy on 18 September 2007 @ 4pm

That post hit some things with me, too. I really struggle through music times for a number of reasons, but ones I’m sympathetic too. I don’t think theologians would do much better with lyrics. A theologian isn’t a poet, and it’s very hard to write meangingful lyrics. They’re more than ideas set in bullet points. Somehow there’s that socially formative element to the kind of lyric that lingers with you and takes you somewhere you wouldn’t be without it. Taking that poetry and making it work as a lyric takes it to another level entirely. I can’t do it, and I really admire people that can.

A lot of the music comes off cliche to me lyrically and musically, but after watching some of the 2007 VMA performances on YouTube, they’re not exactly hitting the heart either. I just think this is a very bad time for pop.

Cory, what are a few songs that make you think, “there’s something different about this one….I think this makes God happy,” in worship?

Posted by James (orr) on 19 September 2007 @ 10pm

Just another moment of thinking out loud here, but I don’t think God is terribly interested in songs that tell him about himself. A few years ago I did. A few years ago I’d be shouting that… Now, though, I think He wants to hear about how those things have become a part of us and how his disposition has marked us and changed us. Like difference between the way a stranger talks about someone and the way their spouse talks about them. How the things he’s passionate about have become our passions. How things that are true about him have become things we want to sing about.

Here are some lines from Crumbs From Your Table:

And you speak of signs and wonders
but I need something other
I would believe if I was able
But I’m waiting for crums from your table

That’s a U2 song. That verse, Bono says, is a shot at the church. That’s a cause God believes in, and that lyric shows how that passion has been imparted in someone else. Singing it back to God makes it go full circle. I think God would like that being sung in a service. What do you think?

Posted by James (orr) on 19 September 2007 @ 11pm

Here’s a brief list of songs I think we sing that are true, and can be meaningful, assuming we actually pay attention to them.

- All Who Are Thirsty
- Blessed Be Your Name
- Forever
- How Deep The Father’s Love For Us
- King Forever (I’m pretty sure He likes this one for the jam factor)
- Mourning Into Dancing
- The Lord Is Gracious and Compassionate
- Tis So Sweet to Trust In Jesus

I don’t know… I think I’m stuck in some old songs. But I’m OK with that. As someone who leads music, I need to spend more time thinking about these kinds of things.

Posted by Cory on 20 September 2007 @ 8pm

Another thought:
“non-theologians writing our worship choruses…”
“A theologian isn’t a poet…”

Perhaps we could work together.
Like… ya know… the body of Christ. :)

Posted by Cory on 21 September 2007 @ 9am

haha, I was actually thinking about 1 corinthians 12 and the way we’re built to need each other in order to be complete when I was writing that (and keep in mind I was about to go to sleep, so hopefully that gets me a clarity handicap).

There’s an artistry I find lacking in worship music. Musically, poetically, and intellectually. I’m hopeful though. These things are right in our reach when we come together and want to put in a bit more work.

I like all the songs you mentioned, too. There are some others I really like too. Have you ever noticed it’s hard to think of songs you like when you try?

- You Said
- Better is One Day
- Beauty for Ashes (shane barnard)

Do you ever listen to Charlie Hall? I’m a huge fan of his group. Have you ever thought about the range of emotions worship music helps us explore? Last spring I was in church and wrote down in my notes that I wondered if worship music works to secularize us due to the limited range of emotions it lets us explore as they interact with God (so if we’re sad, for example, we experience it as out culture’s taught us to, not as our worship has).

Posted by James (orr) on 21 September 2007 @ 1pm

In the interest of working together, I just stumbled upon a chord progression I think has some potential. I had my low E dropped to D, but it doesn’t need to be. It’s kind of interesting, if anyone wants to play with it. Just needs a chorus.

Part 1:

1) 000232
2) X4022X
3) X20030
4) X10030

Part 2:

1) X24232
2) 500222 (hammer on 500232)
3) X34030 (or mute the E for a little more sourness)
4) X02220

Posted by James (orr) on 21 September 2007 @ 2pm

James, that is also the numerology for Psalms 32…

Posted by N Tony on 23 September 2007 @ 9am

lol, Tony, that actually made me laugh out loud. I wasn’t sure about all the chord names, but here are the ones I know. If I don’t know the exact name, I’ll spell out the notes, low to high. They sound a little funny on guitar, so they might sound like they’re really crashing into each other on a piano. Sometimes I’ll deem something a chord just because my fingers found a way to land on a string.

1) D
2) C#, D, A, Db — I think this is Dmaj7/C# with no third
3) G/B
4) Bb, D, G, D — Not sure what this is, but I like it a lot.

1) Bm7
2) Dmaj7/G — I like this one. It always feels liberating to me.
3) C, F#, G, D, E — No clue what to call this
4) A

Posted by James (orr) on 25 September 2007 @ 12am