Hymn, Song, Chant—what’s the difference?
It’s easy to become confused about the different terms that get thrown around regarding what it is we are singing at any given moment...Sometimes we sing an “Opening Hymn,” sometimes it’s a “Communion Song”...and then there’s that word “chant” that gets used from time to time.
So, let us take a moment to look at some of the different words and try to sort them out.
Most of the liturgical documents from Rome, as well as from the U.S. Bishops, use the word “chant” to describe anything we sing in the liturgy. For us this term tends to conjure up images of ethereal Latin-singing monks, slow and mystical music hearkening to a traditional and “high church” style of worship. While Gregorian Chant, this centuries-old form of church song, is still a traditional and beautiful form of sung prayer, when the documents refer to a “chant” they are simply translating the Latin word cantus—basically, “song” or “something sung.” It also can refer to any non-rhythmic unaccompanied speech-singing, such as when the priest chants “Through him, with him, in him…” or other texts through the liturgy. Generally, the more festive the occasion, the more the priest will choose to chant. (If he is comfortable chanting at all, that is—we are blessed to have some wonderful singing priests at our parish!)
So: what is the difference between a song and a hymn?
A hymn is usually a term for a specific kind of sacred song, one with several verses or stanzas (or, if you like, strophes). The melody will repeat several times, exactly the same, with different words for each verse. “I Come with Joy,” sung this week to open the liturgy, is a hymn. So is “Holy God, We Praise Thy Name”; so are most of our favorite Christmas carols— “Silent Night,” “Joy to the World,” “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” and so on.
The word song can be a bit more confusing, though. On the one hand, it can (like chant) refer to anything that is sung. But a piece of music in song form is very specific—this means that it may have verses like a hymn, but each ends with a chorus or refrain—a passage of music that comes back, with the same words, every time. Songs like “Here I Am, Lord” and “On Eagle’s Wings” are good examples of music in “song” form.
(But what about “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” another Christmas carol, you may ask? Just because it has the repeating refrain “O come, let us adore him,” does that mean it’s not a hymn?)
The good news—and I hope this is not a disappointment to those who have managed to read to the end of this column—is that when it really comes down to it, it doesn’t matter much. None of these terms is absolute, and very seldom will anyone be able to say “You’re wrong!” if you should refer to any piece of sacred music by almost any of these titles. This is just a little background given for the benefit of those who’ve asked the question in the past—call it what you will, just keep singing!
Monday, October 20, 2008
Music Ministry Series: Part III (Acclamations)
“Holy, holy, holy Lord God of power and might! Heaven and earth are full of your glory; Hosanna in the highest!”
From the Order of Mass, Preface Acclamation
Singing the Acclamations
Webster’s Dictionary defines “acclamation” as “A shout of approbation, favor, or assent; eager expression of approval.”
When we sing, just as when we pray, we approach God with different attitudes at different moments. Sometimes we come with petitions or requests. Sometimes we come with thanksgiving. Sometimes we approach in silent contemplation. And there are several moments in our liturgy known as “acclamations,” joyful shouts of praise for our great and magnificent God.
If you pay attention to our songs during the liturgy, you’ll notice that many of them accompany some action—a procession, the preparation of the table, the breaking of the host before Communion—and that the music is geared to last as long as the ritual action it accompanies lasts. Our Acclamations are different—these are sung moments in the liturgy where the purpose of our song is simply to praise God, to acclaim God, to give joyful assent to God’s work and presence among us.
Every week, at the beginning of the Eucharistic Prayer, we sing some version of “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts!” When the priest invites us to “proclaim the mystery of our faith,” we cry out, “Christ has died! Christ is risen! Christ will come again!” or a similar acclamation. In seasons outside of Lent and Advent, near the beginning of our liturgies, we sing, “Glory to God in the highest, and peace to God’s people on earth!” And as we prepare to listen to the Gospel (this acclamation also accompanies a procession!), we cry out “Alleluia!” or, in Lent, “Praise and honor to you, Lord Jesus Christ!”
This Sunday, as we join in singing these familiar—maybe too familiar!—words, try to move out of habit and really listen for what they contain, what the words are saying, and to what of God’s great works they give praise and assent!
From the Order of Mass, Preface Acclamation
Singing the Acclamations
Webster’s Dictionary defines “acclamation” as “A shout of approbation, favor, or assent; eager expression of approval.”
When we sing, just as when we pray, we approach God with different attitudes at different moments. Sometimes we come with petitions or requests. Sometimes we come with thanksgiving. Sometimes we approach in silent contemplation. And there are several moments in our liturgy known as “acclamations,” joyful shouts of praise for our great and magnificent God.
If you pay attention to our songs during the liturgy, you’ll notice that many of them accompany some action—a procession, the preparation of the table, the breaking of the host before Communion—and that the music is geared to last as long as the ritual action it accompanies lasts. Our Acclamations are different—these are sung moments in the liturgy where the purpose of our song is simply to praise God, to acclaim God, to give joyful assent to God’s work and presence among us.
Every week, at the beginning of the Eucharistic Prayer, we sing some version of “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts!” When the priest invites us to “proclaim the mystery of our faith,” we cry out, “Christ has died! Christ is risen! Christ will come again!” or a similar acclamation. In seasons outside of Lent and Advent, near the beginning of our liturgies, we sing, “Glory to God in the highest, and peace to God’s people on earth!” And as we prepare to listen to the Gospel (this acclamation also accompanies a procession!), we cry out “Alleluia!” or, in Lent, “Praise and honor to you, Lord Jesus Christ!”
This Sunday, as we join in singing these familiar—maybe too familiar!—words, try to move out of habit and really listen for what they contain, what the words are saying, and to what of God’s great works they give praise and assent!
Music Ministry Series: Part II (Opening Song)
“Let us build a house where all are named,
Their songs and visions heard
And loved and treasured, taught and claimed
As words within the Word…”
“All are Welcome,” text by Marty Haugen
©1994, GIA Publications, Inc.
Opening Song
What is the first thing we do each week when we gather for worship? We sing. Whether we call it the Opening Hymn, the Gathering Song, or the Processional, the first song of the liturgy has three main purposes (paraphrased from the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, #47):
· To open the celebration and foster our unity as a people worshiping together,
· To begin to awaken us to the themes and images of the liturgy or season, and
· To accompany the presider and ministers as they process into the church.
If we reduce the opening song to that third reason, as simply “traveling music” for the liturgical ministers in procession, we’ve missed the point! Look at the first reason given in the Instruction: we sing so that we may be united in celebration. That is why, even if the choir may sing a prelude prior to the liturgy , the opening song is always a song intended for the entire assembly to sing—and whenever possible, it is something most of know well and can sing out fully and with strength.
If we look a little deeper (and if the music ministers are doing our jobs well!) and listen to the texts we sing in the opening song—in all the songs, really!—we should be able to already have some idea of where the readings and prayers of the day will take us. During Ordinary Time, which we are now journeying through, the songs will most often have themes of gathering and welcome, unity and praise and trust in our loving God. During the seasons of Advent and Lent, the opening songs will often be more subdued, helping quiet our souls into a place of expectant preparation. During Christmas and Easter seasons, these songs will be even more explosively joyful…
As St. Augustine said, “You should sing as wayfarers do—sing, but continue the journey...Sing to make your journey more enjoyable. Sing...but keep on going!”
...next week: Acclamations! (Gloria, Sanctus, and more…)
Their songs and visions heard
And loved and treasured, taught and claimed
As words within the Word…”
“All are Welcome,” text by Marty Haugen
©1994, GIA Publications, Inc.
Opening Song
What is the first thing we do each week when we gather for worship? We sing. Whether we call it the Opening Hymn, the Gathering Song, or the Processional, the first song of the liturgy has three main purposes (paraphrased from the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, #47):
· To open the celebration and foster our unity as a people worshiping together,
· To begin to awaken us to the themes and images of the liturgy or season, and
· To accompany the presider and ministers as they process into the church.
If we reduce the opening song to that third reason, as simply “traveling music” for the liturgical ministers in procession, we’ve missed the point! Look at the first reason given in the Instruction: we sing so that we may be united in celebration. That is why, even if the choir may sing a prelude prior to the liturgy , the opening song is always a song intended for the entire assembly to sing—and whenever possible, it is something most of know well and can sing out fully and with strength.
If we look a little deeper (and if the music ministers are doing our jobs well!) and listen to the texts we sing in the opening song—in all the songs, really!—we should be able to already have some idea of where the readings and prayers of the day will take us. During Ordinary Time, which we are now journeying through, the songs will most often have themes of gathering and welcome, unity and praise and trust in our loving God. During the seasons of Advent and Lent, the opening songs will often be more subdued, helping quiet our souls into a place of expectant preparation. During Christmas and Easter seasons, these songs will be even more explosively joyful…
As St. Augustine said, “You should sing as wayfarers do—sing, but continue the journey...Sing to make your journey more enjoyable. Sing...but keep on going!”
...next week: Acclamations! (Gloria, Sanctus, and more…)
Music Ministry Series: Part I
“I sing because I’m happy,
And I sing because I’m free.
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me.”
From an African-American hymn, text by Civilla Martin; music by Charles Gabriel
Why do we sing?
Singing is a fundamental, natural human activity. During the time when I taught music in an elementary school, I remember one day asking the kindergarten class, “Who in here is a good singer?” Every single child raised his or her hand. My curiosity piqued, I asked the same question of the fourth graders: about half the hands went up, many haltingly or as though they weren’t sure. I asked the seventh grade. The only hand that went up was from a boy wanting to be excused to go to the washroom (for the second time that class).
We all start life as singers, with a natural joy in raising up our voices together or as individuals, but somewhere along the way we begin to get the message that singing is only for the very special, or the extremely gifted, or the most talented among us. We begin to believe that the only people who should sing are those who are “good enough” do to it professionally.
The Church has a different vision:
“God has bestowed upon his people the gift of song. God dwells within each human person, in the place where music takes its source. Indeed, God, the giver of song, is present whenever his people sing his praises. A cry from deep within our being, music is a way for God to lead us to the realm of higher things. As St. Augustine says, “Singing is for the one who loves.” Music is therefore a sign of God’s love for us and of our love for him. In this sense, it is very personal. But unless music sounds, it is not music, and whenever it sounds, it is accessible to others. By its very nature song has both an individual and a communal dimension. Thus, it is no wonder that singing together in church expresses so well the sacramental presence of God to his people...The quality of our participation in such sung praise comes less from our vocal ability than from the desire of our hearts to sing together of our love for God. ”
This quote is taken from the opening paragraphs of the U.S. Bishops’ document “Sing to the Lord,” (the full text can be found at www.usccb.org/liturgy/SingToTheLord.pdf). It gives a beautiful image for our gathered song and makes it a true metaphor of our gathering: we gather, each of us, individuals but united. Together we raise up whatever gifts we have, however imperfect they are...and in the raising, and in the unity and love of the community, they become beauty. Ask anyone in the music ministry—your parish choirs are filled with people who sing not because they feel themselves particularly worthy, but because they Love. And every person in the church who picks up a hymnal and raises their voice—even a little—contributes to the beauty of the whole. God is present in our gathering, in our song, in our worship together.
And I sing because I’m free.
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me.”
From an African-American hymn, text by Civilla Martin; music by Charles Gabriel
Why do we sing?
Singing is a fundamental, natural human activity. During the time when I taught music in an elementary school, I remember one day asking the kindergarten class, “Who in here is a good singer?” Every single child raised his or her hand. My curiosity piqued, I asked the same question of the fourth graders: about half the hands went up, many haltingly or as though they weren’t sure. I asked the seventh grade. The only hand that went up was from a boy wanting to be excused to go to the washroom (for the second time that class).
We all start life as singers, with a natural joy in raising up our voices together or as individuals, but somewhere along the way we begin to get the message that singing is only for the very special, or the extremely gifted, or the most talented among us. We begin to believe that the only people who should sing are those who are “good enough” do to it professionally.
The Church has a different vision:
“God has bestowed upon his people the gift of song. God dwells within each human person, in the place where music takes its source. Indeed, God, the giver of song, is present whenever his people sing his praises. A cry from deep within our being, music is a way for God to lead us to the realm of higher things. As St. Augustine says, “Singing is for the one who loves.” Music is therefore a sign of God’s love for us and of our love for him. In this sense, it is very personal. But unless music sounds, it is not music, and whenever it sounds, it is accessible to others. By its very nature song has both an individual and a communal dimension. Thus, it is no wonder that singing together in church expresses so well the sacramental presence of God to his people...The quality of our participation in such sung praise comes less from our vocal ability than from the desire of our hearts to sing together of our love for God. ”
This quote is taken from the opening paragraphs of the U.S. Bishops’ document “Sing to the Lord,” (the full text can be found at www.usccb.org/liturgy/SingToTheLord.pdf). It gives a beautiful image for our gathered song and makes it a true metaphor of our gathering: we gather, each of us, individuals but united. Together we raise up whatever gifts we have, however imperfect they are...and in the raising, and in the unity and love of the community, they become beauty. Ask anyone in the music ministry—your parish choirs are filled with people who sing not because they feel themselves particularly worthy, but because they Love. And every person in the church who picks up a hymnal and raises their voice—even a little—contributes to the beauty of the whole. God is present in our gathering, in our song, in our worship together.
Music Ministry Series: Intro
In case you’ve ever wondered...
Shortly after Fr. David Dowdle came to St. John of the Cross, he offered parishioners the opportunity to “Ask the Pastor” any questions they had about the church, the parish, our worship, and so forth. A surprising number of the questions that came in revolved around the large area of music in worship—questions about why we sing, what we sing, who sings, when we sing—the whole gamut.
Therefore we’ve decided to open up a little section of the bulletin each week for news and information regarding both the specifics of this parish’s music ministry and the whole idea of music ministry in general. If you have a question about the things we do in the music ministry, please let us know, and we’ll try to get it answered!
In the meantime, we will try to address some of the generalities of music ministry and sung prayer, going back to the sources of our faith and the documents of the Church, particularly the writings from the Second Vatican Council. Drawing on our rich heritage and tradition as Church, we will take a look at what we do musically, why we do it, and how music shapes our worship—hopefully in an interesting and engaging way! Enjoy!
Peace,
Jennifer Kerr Budziak
Shortly after Fr. David Dowdle came to St. John of the Cross, he offered parishioners the opportunity to “Ask the Pastor” any questions they had about the church, the parish, our worship, and so forth. A surprising number of the questions that came in revolved around the large area of music in worship—questions about why we sing, what we sing, who sings, when we sing—the whole gamut.
Therefore we’ve decided to open up a little section of the bulletin each week for news and information regarding both the specifics of this parish’s music ministry and the whole idea of music ministry in general. If you have a question about the things we do in the music ministry, please let us know, and we’ll try to get it answered!
In the meantime, we will try to address some of the generalities of music ministry and sung prayer, going back to the sources of our faith and the documents of the Church, particularly the writings from the Second Vatican Council. Drawing on our rich heritage and tradition as Church, we will take a look at what we do musically, why we do it, and how music shapes our worship—hopefully in an interesting and engaging way! Enjoy!
Peace,
Jennifer Kerr Budziak
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
New US Bishops Document on Music
Sing to the Lord, the new incarnation of "Music in Catholic Worship" (only much longer and more thorough!) is up on the USCCB website:
http://www.usccb.org/liturgy/SingToTheLord.pdf
I have printed it and started to read the final draft, but I haven't gotten far yet. It's Advent, after all...
peace,
Jennifer
http://www.usccb.org/liturgy/SingToTheLord.pdf
I have printed it and started to read the final draft, but I haven't gotten far yet. It's Advent, after all...
peace,
Jennifer
Soul of Genius
Neither a lofty degree of intelligence
nor imagination nor both together
go to the making of genius.
Love, love, love, that is the soul of genius.
--W. A. Mozart
Clearly my attempts at a weekly blog about why and how music is planned fell by the wayside right about at the moment the choral/liturgical season got busy. But I will keep trying, at least in little bits...
The 10:45 choir will be leading a Lessons and Carols service for Advent, this coming Sunday evening at 7pm. For the first time, although this is our third or fourth year, we've actually had adequate publicity and announcements and such, so I actually have hope in a decent crowd...
Advent Lessons and Carols
Sunday, December 9, 2007 7:00pm
Processional: Prepare the Way of the Lord (Taizé) (Gather Comp. 330)
Greeting
Opening Prayer (chanted) (All are seated)
First Lesson: Genesis 3:8-15
Choir: Lo, How a Rose (Gather Comp. 373) (2 verses)
My mother, fifty-odd years out of Catholic school, can still sing the alto part to this piece...I know there are tons of different arrangements of it out there, but I can't imagine ever moving from this one.
Carol: Creator of the Stars of Night (Gather Comp. 334) (4 verses)
Second Lesson: Isaiah 9:1-6
Choir: Crown Him King of Kings (Bach)
Our old noisy Bach friend--huge, happy, unapologetic, and the choir sounds great on it.
Carol: O Come, Divine Messiah (Gather Comp. 333)
Third Lesson: Isaiah 40:1-11
Choir: Prepare Ye (Robinson)
Awesome little piece, sort of jazzy-gospel-but-still-definitely-white-folks-singing in character, at least the way we do it--but it sounds Right this way. I heard it first at Ascension, and I loved it enough to order it 5 years later for this group. Sort of a lazy but implacable groove, with a kick-tail tenor solo on which Jeff completely wails...
Fourth Lesson: Haggai 2:6-9
Choir: Like those who watch for midnight’s hour (Bach) (Seven Lenten Chorales, “Out of the Depths,” vs 2)
Carol: The King Shall Come (Gather Comp. 347) (all verses)
Fifth Lesson: Isaiah 7:10-15
Carol: Maranatha, Lord Messiah (GC 324) (verses 1, 5, 6, 7)
Sixth Lesson: Baruch 4:36-5:9
Choir: Come, O Just One (Trapp)
My old friend Lynn Trapp--he's a man, by the way--did this lovely setting. Far more "Cathedral" than we usually are, very formal and Grand-sounding, but the choir's really rising to the occasion. Great fun.
Carol: People, Look East! (Gather Comp. 337) (all verses)
Gospel Acclamation: Advent Gospel Acclamations (verse for Advent IV Cycle A)
Seventh Lesson (The Gospel): Luke 1:26-35, 38 (chanted by Fr. Ken)
Choir: No Wind at the Window (Bell/Breedlove)
I seldom get to compose any more; I started this setting 2 years ago and finally actually completed it this year. It's a really nice strophic text about the Annunciation--vintage John Bell in style and syntax, which I happen to love--set to a haunting Gaelic (Scottish?) melody. I set it for SATB choir, and it's going well, although we've barely rehearsed it and we have to "perform" it this Sunday...I'm slightly petrified.
Intercessions: GC 277 (cantor and choir)
Closing Prayer
Closing Hymn: O Come, Emmanuel (Gather Comp. 323) (verses 1-4)
Y'all come on Sunday, hear?
peace,
Jennifer
nor imagination nor both together
go to the making of genius.
Love, love, love, that is the soul of genius.
--W. A. Mozart
Clearly my attempts at a weekly blog about why and how music is planned fell by the wayside right about at the moment the choral/liturgical season got busy. But I will keep trying, at least in little bits...
The 10:45 choir will be leading a Lessons and Carols service for Advent, this coming Sunday evening at 7pm. For the first time, although this is our third or fourth year, we've actually had adequate publicity and announcements and such, so I actually have hope in a decent crowd...
Advent Lessons and Carols
Sunday, December 9, 2007 7:00pm
Processional: Prepare the Way of the Lord (Taizé) (Gather Comp. 330)
Greeting
Opening Prayer (chanted) (All are seated)
First Lesson: Genesis 3:8-15
Choir: Lo, How a Rose (Gather Comp. 373) (2 verses)
My mother, fifty-odd years out of Catholic school, can still sing the alto part to this piece...I know there are tons of different arrangements of it out there, but I can't imagine ever moving from this one.
Carol: Creator of the Stars of Night (Gather Comp. 334) (4 verses)
Second Lesson: Isaiah 9:1-6
Choir: Crown Him King of Kings (Bach)
Our old noisy Bach friend--huge, happy, unapologetic, and the choir sounds great on it.
Carol: O Come, Divine Messiah (Gather Comp. 333)
Third Lesson: Isaiah 40:1-11
Choir: Prepare Ye (Robinson)
Awesome little piece, sort of jazzy-gospel-but-still-definitely-white-folks-singing in character, at least the way we do it--but it sounds Right this way. I heard it first at Ascension, and I loved it enough to order it 5 years later for this group. Sort of a lazy but implacable groove, with a kick-tail tenor solo on which Jeff completely wails...
Fourth Lesson: Haggai 2:6-9
Choir: Like those who watch for midnight’s hour (Bach) (Seven Lenten Chorales, “Out of the Depths,” vs 2)
Carol: The King Shall Come (Gather Comp. 347) (all verses)
Fifth Lesson: Isaiah 7:10-15
Carol: Maranatha, Lord Messiah (GC 324) (verses 1, 5, 6, 7)
Sixth Lesson: Baruch 4:36-5:9
Choir: Come, O Just One (Trapp)
My old friend Lynn Trapp--he's a man, by the way--did this lovely setting. Far more "Cathedral" than we usually are, very formal and Grand-sounding, but the choir's really rising to the occasion. Great fun.
Carol: People, Look East! (Gather Comp. 337) (all verses)
Gospel Acclamation: Advent Gospel Acclamations (verse for Advent IV Cycle A)
Seventh Lesson (The Gospel): Luke 1:26-35, 38 (chanted by Fr. Ken)
Choir: No Wind at the Window (Bell/Breedlove)
I seldom get to compose any more; I started this setting 2 years ago and finally actually completed it this year. It's a really nice strophic text about the Annunciation--vintage John Bell in style and syntax, which I happen to love--set to a haunting Gaelic (Scottish?) melody. I set it for SATB choir, and it's going well, although we've barely rehearsed it and we have to "perform" it this Sunday...I'm slightly petrified.
Intercessions: GC 277 (cantor and choir)
Closing Prayer
Closing Hymn: O Come, Emmanuel (Gather Comp. 323) (verses 1-4)
Y'all come on Sunday, hear?
peace,
Jennifer
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