Nashville Couple, the Gettys, Revive Lost Art of Hymn Writing

The Aquila Report ^ | 4-14-13 | Bob Smietana

[ReformationFan]

Kristyn and Keith Getty specialize in writing modern hymns for churches

Most songwriters in Nashville want to get their songs on the radio.

Keith and Kristyn Getty hope their songs end up in dusty old hymn books.

The Gettys, originally from Belfast, Ireland, hope to revive the art of hymn writing at a time when the most popular new church songs are written for rock bands rather than choirs.

They’ve had surprising success.

[bethelgrad]

One of my favorite songs-—I always thought of it as a modern hymn! Go figure.

[Rebelbase]

I guess all the millions of youth who have come to Christ through exposure to modern worship music has just been a waste of time.

[SuziQ]

I find a lot of the “Contemporary” music used in Churches today to be rather shallow, repetitive and theologically suspect.

Our daughter is young (25), but even she doesn't particularly like the 'Praise' music that's all the rage in the mega-churches these days. She calls it "Jesus is my boyfriend" music. ;o)

[Revolting cat!]

The Gettys get it!

[RedMDer]

[JHL]

One of my favorite Charles Wesley hymns:

Arise, my soul arise! Shake off thy guilty fears, The bleeding Sacrifice In my behalf appears: Before the throne my Surety stands, Before the throne my Surety stands, My name is written on His hands.

He ever lives above for me to intercede; His all redeeming love, His precious blood to plead: His blood atoned for all our race, His blood atoned for all our race, And sprinkles now the throne of grace.

Five bleeding wounds He bears, Received on Calvary: They pour effectual prayers, They strongly plead for me: "Forgive him, oh, forgive! they cry, Forgive him, oh, forgive! they cry, Nor let that ransomed sinner die!"

The Father hears Him pray, His dear Anointed One; He cannot turn away The presence of His Son: His Spirit answers to the blood, His Spirit answers to the blood, And tells me I am born of God.

My God is reconciled, His pardoning voice I hear; He owns me for His child- I can no longer fear: With confidence I now draw nigh, With confidence I now draw nigh, And "Father, Abba, Father," cry.

[Bigg Red]

I am pretty sure we sang that hymn at my church recently.

[Uncle Lonny]

An oldie but goodie from 8th Century Ireland:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EYYbwEqDlg

Another classic:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Fwfdij6HGo

And a Rock of Ages:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gM7gt_cSxjw

[outinyellowdogcountry]

Wonderful music. Meaningful and lasting lyrics and tunes.

[vpintheak]

I never said anything about that. I said it is narcissistic, which it is. Too much me and I focus versus God & Christ. When God wants someone, He gets them. Music doesn’t save, Christ does.

[Albion Wilde]

Our daughter is young (25), but even she doesn't particularly like the 'Praise' music.... She calls it "Jesus is my boyfriend" music. ;o)

Sounds like you raised a great girl!

I call it "church karaoke." Hate it when some heavily made-up bleached blond in a tight satin dress gets up there and makes love to the handheld microphone. Now I see why Irish dancing is all from the waist down.

[M. Thatcher]

Oh I love that one - often put it on “repeat” on my iTunes playlist ...

[Albion Wilde]

An oldie but goodie from 8th Century Ireland:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EYYbwEqDlg

What a terrific version of Be Thou My Vision -- thanks for posting it. The tune is also called "Slane", after the hill where St. Patrick drove out the snakes. It was only translated into English around 100 years ago. We used it at my Irish cousin's funeral, along with reciting the Lorica (St. Patrick's Breastplate) around a circle.

Slane Castle, County Meath, built on the Hill of Slane. In an early on attempt to convert pagan Ireland to Christianity, St. Patrick lit a bonfire upon the Hill of Slane on Easter eve in the year 433 A.D., which coincided with the Druid revelries marking Equinox at the Royal seat of power on the nearby Hill of Tara. The High King of Ireland, Laoghaire (pronounced Leary), had outlawed any other visible fires when the pagan festival fires blazed at Tara. Patrick's daring to light a fire was as if declaring war. It was a turning point that began to change Ireland from a pagan land to the most Christian nation of Europe until this day. Muirchú, a 7th-century Irish historian, wrote that Logaire was so impressed by Patrick’s devotion that, despite Patrick's defiance (or perhaps because of it), he allowed Patrick continue his Christian missionary work in Ireland.

Here's another song, maybe more Christopop than hymn, but I offer it for your enjoyment. Get ready:

After the Last Tear Falls by Andrew Peterson

[Rebelbase]

It’s a generational thing. Some like the old and some the new.

I find the music of traditional hymns to be antique, monotonous and repetitiously painful.

[Jane Long]

I love it, too :)

[vpintheak]

I’m actually fairly young in the scheme of things. (40’s). Just something to look for in the songs of this age: how many I and me and feeling words are in a song? The last thing anyone should want to think about in Church is me. There are some good ones out there these days for sure, but it’s few and far between. FReep on!