I had a curious revelation with the hymnal in my childhood church. The hymnal was called Christ in Song. Believe it not, there were 949 songs. As I thumbed through the pages I found about 30 that I recall singing. Unless, that is, when the pastor chose a song among the 919. Mrs. Brown bravely attempted to play an introduction on the piano. After that the congregation grew strangely quiet. At times even the pastor didn’t know the song he had chosen. Several times he’d say I guess we don’t know that one. Does anyone have a favorite?
History repeated itself when ten teenagers led our congregation in singing contemporary Christian songs. The words on the screen didn’t help. The congregation sat quietly as the teenagers sang without the audience. The look on the faces of the over-50 crowd was priceless. The pastor was strangely quiet, hoping that his congregants would not notice his silence.
Oh, yes. I noticed some of the 949 repeated words over and over. Today the elderly critics call the contemporary songs 7/11 songs, 7 words repeated 11 times. Not too fast! That hymnal in my childhood church used in the 1940’s and 1950’s was full of monotony. At least I was bored.
I’m only 83. Believe it or not, I am learning to sing a few of the 7/11 songs. You might say that you can teach old dogs new tricks.