Grace Notes

Lyrics for this week's musical selections.

We have done a number of hymns representative of the Pietist movement. They tend to be more timeless than many other schools of hymn writing, with theology and imagery that is still applicable today – far less need for re-writing or editing for modern times, let alone more progressive theology! It was a movement that emphasized personal faith over ecclesiastical doctrine, and living out ones faith over the appearance of godliness. Pietism began as a movement a century after the Reformation, rebuking the Lutheran Church, which it saw too doctrinaire and not spiritually nourishing.

Katharina von Schlegel, a notable woman of the Pietist movement, wrote Be Still, My Soul in the 17th century. It was set to a tune derived from a piece of music written by Jean Sibelius (the conclusion of the Symphonic/Choral tone poem “Finlandia”). The nature of the tune, a hopeful protest anthem against imperial Russian oppression in the late 19th century, is an apt pairing for this text that has inspired many during tough times.

One commentator draws a parallel with music. Oftentimes, the space between the notes is as important as the notes themselves. She describes the challenge of stillness as space for loss, or space for anxiety, and that like music notes on a page, we have to experience both the notes (like joy) and the space between the notes (like loss, or life’s storms). The text draws from a number of biblical sources, including Psalm 65, which Hebrew scholars interpret as “to you, O God, silence is praise,” adding another element to the hymns concept of being still.

Tragedy has inspired countless musical compositions through the ages, and religious music is no different. Precious Lord, Take My Hand was written following the death of Thomas Dorsey’s wife Nettie during childbirth and their infant son shortly thereafter. Dorsey (1899-1993) is known as the “Father of Black Gospel Music,” and pioneered the combination of African American church hymns with blues and jazz, and was one of the first to use the term “gospel music.”

The verses paint a picture of a journey through grief. The first verse conveys a suffering soul pleading for help – “Precious Lord, take my hand. . . .,” and “I’m tired, I’m weak, I’m worn. Through the storm, through the night, lead me on to the light.” Verse two continues the imagery of a journey, where the traveler’s “way grows drear.” Though the journey is left unfinished, the text is concluded on a hopeful note: “at the river I stand, guide my feet and hold my hand.” It was Martin Luther King Jr.’s favorite song, and his last words before his assassination were a request to play it at a service he was going to attend that night.

Waters of March was written by Antonio Carlos Jobim during a heavy rainstorm that turned his ranch into a muddy landscape. In Argentina, the “waters of march” bring about an end to Summer, and despite the ominous nature of winter, there is a promise of spring – and new life on the other side. The text emphasizes life’s difficulties and life’s joys – a collage juxtaposing imagery of both.

For previous weeks, click the links below:

August 22nd 
August 15th 
August 1st
July 4th 
June 27th
June 20th
June 13th
June 6th
May 30th
May 16th
May 9th
May 2
April 25
April 18
April 11

Easter
April 4th 

Lent
March 14th
March 7th
February 28th
February 21st

February 14th 
February 7th
January 31st
January 24th

Advent
December 13th
December 6th
November 29th

November 22nd
November 15th
November 8th
November 1st

Jesus’ Eight Blessings for Uncertain Times
October 25th
October 18th
October 11th
October 4th
September 27th
September 20th
September 13th
September 6th

Living Liberty
August 30th
August 23rd
August 16th
August 9th

Praying for Revolution
August 2nd
July 26th
July 19th
July 12th
July 5th

Sacred Activism
June 28th

Hope, a Pessimist’s Guide
June 14th – Father’s Day
June 7th 
May 31 – Pentecost
May 24
May 17
May 10 – Mothers’ Day
May 3
April 26 – Confirmation
April 19

April 12 – Easter
April 10 – Good Friday
April 9 – Maundy Thursday