Another famous church musician is Crawford Gates. When I was a freshman at BYU, back in 1951 (so ancient) he was a director of the Women's chorus I sang in. Barely out of college himself I think, he was so good-looking, and young, and talented, we all thought he was wonderful.
*
To this day I've never sung under someone who had more influence on me. Every time we sing a hymn in church that we sang in his chorus, I remember the feeling of BYU. A favorite was:
*
COME SING TO THE LORD...which was written by Gerrit deJong, also a professor at BYU. We sang at a fast tempo, really feeling like praising the Lord, and every time we sing it in church, I think, "Oh, don't drag it, be joyful"
*
He also taught us one written by his friend, at the time of the death of his child, I remember every word
Soft, a blossom falls from flowerlet white
Soft, the birdling calls as falls the night
the night that came too soon
too soon for knowing
So like the tender blossom was her face
and hers the grace, the grace of birds in flight
Night falls but in the tender dusk
No more we hear her singing
her sweet voice singing
As night has brought the darkness
so morning brings another day
no more she moves in sadness
somewhere she walks in gladness
Soft a blossom falls from flowerlet white
soft, a birdling calls as falls the night
and we who watch are mute, at beauty's passing
Grieve not! for she has found another day
Another day
and on her way
she moves
moves in JOY
*
Music is such a wonderful part of worship. Sometimes at church, no matter how good the sermon is, the real message for the day is hidden in the words of the song.
0 comments:
Post a Comment