Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1879-10-15
The Songs Our Fathers Sang.

The music of the past was all feeling and
sympathy, with little that appealed to the
intellect, and nothing that appealed to a
refined taste. But we have seen whole
congregation in tears as they sang that fine
old hymn. Taking the parting hand.
Who ever saw a tear start at the bidding OF
a choir? Ii was not the pathos OF the
poetry alone that stirred feeling so deeply.
There were tears in the melody, sympathy
in every note, though there were graceful
harmonies nowhere. Another grand old
hvmn. that seems TO be reiegated to the
limbo of old fashions is. Am L a soldier
of the cross 2" We believe it occasionally
forces its way up through the crust OF cul-
tire. at least in the outlying EMISSION CON
gregations. but do choirs ever sing II ( IL
is a magnificent melody, equal to Luther
s.Ein test Jtrg," and is very expressive OF
Christian resolution. Nothing more admir-
ably adapted to the force and volume and
enthusiasm of congregational singing lies
within our knowledge. Probably that IS
the reason that choirs don't sing IT, 1t
wants the crash and roar of thousand
voices 10 give full expression TO the force In
il, and then the man who can hear 1t I'M
moved is pitiable animal indeed.
The Methodists used to have, forty years
ago, an air that they probably sang to more
than one hymn, but TO whatever words II
was fitted every line was followed by re-
frain. ''Glory halleluIah, "OZiOn, halle
luiah" 1t was very simple tune, hardly
ranging through a single octave, simpler
than the old hvmn-tune now called John
Browns body hut it had that subtle, un-
traceable power of expression that made 1t
ill the feelings of an excited congregation
and pen-nouthed volume of tone that
made it a perfect storm of melody. 1t Is
gone now. though, but we doubt much If
any thing SO good has come in IFS place. \
very fine sacred song, which werarely hear
now. never hear from choir, has chorus,
We'll work till Jesus calls, and then be
welcome home The air is fine, and fine
" adapted to congregational singing, the
only singing that has any pretension to a
place in genuine worship. \ large choir
could give ii some Of It's proper effect. but
it needs house full or woods full ol
worshipers 10 make II ring out all the force
that lies latent to it.
One of the most plainiive of the old-time
hymns began, or, at least, one of its stanzas
did Time, like an ever-rolling tide,
bears all its sons away, and it was sung TO
that most lachrymose of all airs, ''Dunlap 5
Creek" Ii was = dolcful thing, but it had
melody. character, and meaning, something
that can't be said of much Of our cultured
sacred music. which has no more character,
and meaning, than national
Congressman, and no more flavor than a
poplar chip. \ song frequently employed
in a horiatory fashion, as its language in
tends il to be, when converts were invited
10 ''come ont from the world, began
Come, humble sinner. in whose breast Il
thousand thoughts revolvc." 1t was sung
10 a mild adaptation Of an old Irish air call
ed the ''Peeler and the Goat, but the
adaptation suited the song, and the song
suited the occasions on which il was used,
and we have had no choir singing half as
apt or effective. \ beautiful melody was
usually, OF always, 50 far as we remember,
sung to song in which occurred this
stanZa
o that l could with happy John,
Eecline my wearied head upon
The blest Redeomer's breast.
from care Auu rear All eOTION lIct
Give me, o Lord to find in thee
Ny everlasting rest
There is nothing finer IN either music or
sentiment in all our latter-day ''choiring.
But it is utterly gone. We can't take
space to notice all the fine old sacred songs
and melodies that have passed away with
the progress Of community from backwOOd's
simplicity to metropolitan dilCttdHtcisBl:
but we must allude to one which it seems
TO us is positive loss to the cause of religi-
on. because il Is the loss Of an instrument
ality hard to replace. GLOW firm a foun-
datiOn, ye saints of the Lord" is the first
line Of as grand a song as can be found in
all hymnOlogy. 1t is a jubilant expression
OF Christian faith, the sOlg Of q full soul
pouring out its trust for the encouragement
OF weaker OF emptier souls. And the mel
oiy has a movement as majestic as ''Old
Hundred and more viyaciOus. 1t Is a
superb melody, and neither good taste nor
Christian feeling should allow to it lapse
out Of the worship it is so well adapted to
inspirit and elevate. But we never hear 3
choir sing it. In fact, it is not choir song
OF air. Sull, they rarely sing any thin.
half as good, even for choir service.