Hymn #69: Lord, Make Us More Holy
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This hymn is an American Negro Spiritual (yeah, we're not sure that's politically correct, either.)
According to Wikipedia, the world's finest source of truth: "[American Negro Spirituals] are a result of the interaction of music and religion from Africa with music and religion of European origin.
"Because they were unable to express themselves freely in ways that were spiritually meaningful to them, enslaved Africans often held secret religious services. During these meetings, worshipers were free to engage in African religious rituals such as SPIRITUAL POSSESSION, SPEAKING IN TONGUES and shuffling in counterclockwise ring shouts to communal shouts and chants (that sounds like DANCING!).
"It was there also that enslaved Africans further crafted the impromptu musical expression of field songs into the so-called "line singing" and intricate, multi-part harmonies... that have come to be known as Negro spirituals."
Other sources note the spirituals were usually accompanied by plenty of handclapping and foot patting to hold down the rhythm. They also lend themselves very well to jazz and blues arrangements. This, of course, is largely because both the Blues and Jazz originated, in part, from the southern spiritual music.
Oh, the horror!
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“Come Christians Join to sing” (#10) and “Carmen Ohio” (famous Ohio State University anthem) also share the same tune.
“Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken” (#423) is set to the tune “God save Francis the Emperor” by Haydn, which has been the tune for the German and Austrian national anthems (including the “co-national anthem” of Nazi Germany).
Once upon a November 11th Sabbath, this was the closing song at the university church.
All us history majors in the back row were wondering if the organist who made the selection was aware…
That early Advent favorite, “How Sweet Are the Tidings” (#442), is set to “Bonnie Eliose, the Belle of the Mohawk Vale.” Eloise proved popular with both Yankees and Rebs during the Civil War!
Several years ago, I wrote a treatise on this subject entitled “On Plundering the Carnal Lover.” It examined the sources behind many more of our hymns. I’ll be glad to share it if someone wants a copy.
Hi, Jim Ayars, I’m a musicologist and I’d like reading your treatise. Could you send it to joezer17@yahoo.com.br?
Sent it to me too… thechinag@yahoo.com
What? No mention of that pub song, “Silent Night, Holy Night”? I am so shocked!