This morning at the #Episcopal Church of the Epiphany in Atlanta, the Communion Hymn was the #GratefulDead song “Ripple,” sung by two very talented young women on guitar. I remember hearing “Ripple” as #Communion#Hymn before, when I was a member of St. Luke’s Episcopal in Atlanta. A fitting hymn, both musically and lyrically.
“Mommy, why is that man crying?”
“That man is a #Deadhead. You can tell by the sandals. Try not to stare.”
🎵Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His Gospel is Peace
Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother
And in His name, all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we
Let all within us Praise His Holy name
Christ is the Lord; O praise His name forever!
His power and glory evermore proclaim 🎵
Lyrics from the third verse of O Holy Night.
A reminder this Christmas that Christians who support oppression of anyone for any reason are doing it wrong.
"God of concrete, God of steel,
God of piston and of wheel,
God of pylon, God of steam,
God of girder and of beam,
God of atom, God of mine,
All the world of power is thine!"
Is it ok to take a popular #hymn and #paraphrase it beyond recognition?
Well, #composers have done it over the centuries.
Here is the latest contribution to the series with a modern take on the #Danish hymn 'Lyset engel' (Angel of light) by Danish ensemble Via Artis Konsort. https://youtu.be/NKSa70ZYixY