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What to sing for my son's baptism?
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Subject: What to sing for my son's baptism? From: ClaireBear Date: 09 Apr 08 - 12:40 PM Yippee! I get to sing a solo at my 8-year-old son's upcoming baptism, which just happens to be scheduled for Pentecost, which this year also just happens to be Mother's Day. I attend an Episcopal church whose music director has a very traditional approach to music. She's tempered by a rector who's African American and loves black gospel. For this occasion, I'd like to go with none of the above. I'm thinking Appalachian is a style we hear very little out here... (Oh! I should have been taking notes at that gospel workshop at the Getaway!!!) "Bright Morning Star" is the only song I can think of that gracefully weaves in mothers, children, the quickening of the spirit associated with Pentecost (and with baptism) -- and is something I want to sing. I've also considered "Down in the River to Pray," but I think it has had enough exposure lately, I'd rather bring something traditional and relatively unknown to the party. Unfortunately (A) I grew up Catholic (we didn't get ANY of the good songs) and (B) I'm a native Californian so have very little exposure to the part of my country that is the wellspring of this kind of music. So, I would appreciate suggestions of hymns/songs that would be appropriate. Even if it's not what I've described wanting, I'll happily consider it. Thank you all! Claire |
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Subject: RE: What to sing for my son's baptism? From: MMario Date: 09 Apr 08 - 12:47 PM Two I like at Baptism's are "I want to walk as a child of God" and "Here I am, Lord" |
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Subject: RE: What to sing for my son's baptism? From: Mr Red Date: 09 Apr 08 - 01:30 PM the Water is Wide? |
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Subject: RE: What to sing for my son's baptism? From: GUEST,highlandman Date: 09 Apr 08 - 01:40 PM How about "Be Thou My Vision"? It has a theme of committment appropriate for a baptism. Then there's "St Patrick's Hymn," which is in the 1940 Episcopal hymnal (not sure about the 1980s edition). Long, though. If you like Appalachian things like "What Wondrous Love Is This," you might see if you can get hold of a Sacred Harp or Christian Harmony book -- these are more or less the definitive collections of Appalachian spiritual songs. They would fill the "very traditional" bill, if in a rather different way than a traditional Episcopalian might expect. The problem may be working out an arrangement. Some I have tried are fine with solo voice and guitar; others resist all attempts at accompaniment. A few are excellent as unaccompanied airs only (BTW the melody in those books is usually in the tenor). Oh, there's another one in the 1940 Episcopal Hymnal called "Master of Eager Youth," to the tune of... oh crud I can't remember. It's an English folk tune arranged by R. Vaughan Williams. Works wonderfully with a guitar accompaniment. -Glenn |
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Subject: RE: What to sing for my son's baptism? From: wysiwyg Date: 09 Apr 08 - 01:42 PM Wade in the Water. Verses about the journey with Christ, where one is drawn to wade deeper and deeper as one grows up. Exhortation to take risks in growth. ~S~ |
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Subject: ADD: By Name I Have Called You From: Joe Offer Date: 09 Apr 08 - 01:54 PM Hi, Claire- I guess the song I've sung most often for Baptism is "This Little Light of Mine." It's not classy, but people love to sing along. There's one called "The Summons" (Will You Come) that's sung to the lovely traditional tune, "Kelvingrove." Another one is The Breastplate of St. Patrick, sung ot the tune "Bunessa" (Morning Has Broken). Another one I really like is this one: By Name I Have Called You (Cary Landry) Be still, be still, and know that I am your God Be still, be still, and know that I am with you. CHORUS By name I have called you, by name I will save you, by name you are Mine, you are precious to Me, by name I have called you, by name I will send you, forever, with you I will be. Before you were born, I knew you Within your mother's womb, I formed you I appointed you to speak in my name (Chorus) Comfort, Comfort my people Speak, speak to their hearts Speak tenderly, tenderly to them. (chorus) Click to play(I can't find music for the prelude "be still" - but I can call you and sing it to you.)Let us know what you choose to sing. -Joe- |
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Subject: RE: What to sing for my son's baptism? From: ClaireBear Date: 09 Apr 08 - 01:55 PM Highlandman, I left my 1940 hymnal at home today (no, I'm not making this up; I DO have one and I considered bringing it to work, but left it behind at the last minute), but I can find one kicking around in the church tonight. I'll check for "Master of Eager Youth" then. I thought about "Be Thou My Vision," which I love and love to sing, but when I get a chance to choose something I prefer to make it something the congregation hasn't heard before. They tend to be a bit in a rut, so I like to shake 'em up -- in a good way! Susan, I'm afraid we always do "Wade in the Water" for baptisms, what with the African American rector and the gospel choir -- otherwise I'd jump on it. Thank you anyway. I adore "Wondrous Love" but find it a but mournful for Pentecost and Mother's Day. I went through every page of the Sacred Harp looking for just the right piece, but came up empty. Everything that's even a little bit happy is about the next life; there's very little about growing in faith and acting in a godly way in this one. Claire |
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Subject: RE: What to sing for my son's baptism? From: ClaireBear Date: 09 Apr 08 - 01:58 PM Joe, that's beautiful -- I love the psalmic (Is that a word? I guiess it is now) quality of the lyrics to "By Name I Have Called You." Even if I don't use it for the baptism, it's definitely a keeper! Claire |
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Subject: RE: What to sing for my son's baptism? From: GUEST,highlandman Date: 09 Apr 08 - 02:08 PM Ah, belated memory... the tune is Monk's Gate. We use it for confirmations but I think it works for baptisms. I accompany it with a guitar arrangement I pinched from John Renbourne's recording of it. Agreed, Joe, that is an excellent lyric. Where can one find the music? Claire, sorry to have ass-umed you weren't familiar with the Sacred Harp! I didn't mean that "Wondrous Love" is particularly a good choice, it's just the example I have found that is familiar enough to identify the style to people who aren't otherwise aware of it. You're right about the focus of the Sacred Harp selections being so strongly on the next life. I guess we forget how tough some of our very near ancestors must have had it in this one. -Glenn |
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Subject: RE: What to sing for my son's baptism? From: Joe Offer Date: 09 Apr 08 - 02:16 PM I'll post a tune for "By Name" later. Right now, it's time to homeschool.... |
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Subject: RE: What to sing for my son's baptism? From: katlaughing Date: 09 Apr 08 - 02:19 PM I was going to see what Jean Ritchie might mention on her website, but it is down. I did find the table of contents for Folk Songs of the Southern Appalachians as sung by Jean Ritchie. There is one listed which I am not familiar with, but by the title it might be a good one for this: "Itty Bitty Baby: Chidlren Go Where I Send Thee." Just a guess, though. OOPS, just figured out it is a Chrismas song. Sorry. |
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Subject: RE: What to sing for my son's baptism? From: beardedbruce Date: 09 Apr 08 - 02:23 PM Children, go where I send thee How shall I send thee? I'm will send thee one-by-one well one was a little bitty baby wrapped in swaddling clothing lying in the manger, Born, born, born in Bethlehem. Children, go where I send thee How shall I send thee? I'm gonna send thee two-by-two Two for Paul and Silas One for the little bitty baby Born, born, born in Bethlehem. Three for the three men riding (or: the Hebrew children) Four for the four that stood at the door Five for the gospel preachers (or: the five that came back alive) Six for the six that never got fixed Seven for the seven that never got to Heaven Eight for the eight that waited at the gate Nine for the nine all dressed so fine (or: the nine that stood in the line) Ten for the Ten Commandments Eleven for the eleven deriders Twelve for the twelve Apostles |
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Subject: RE: What to sing for my son's baptism? From: beardedbruce Date: 09 Apr 08 - 02:26 PM A better way of looking at the words... Children, go where I send thee How shall I send thee? I'm will send thee one-by-one well one was a little bitty baby wrapped in swaddling clothing lying in the manger, Born, born, born in Bethlehem. Children, go where I send thee How shall I send thee? I'm gonna send thee two-by-two Two for Paul and Silas One for the little bitty baby Born, born, born in Bethlehem. Three for the three men riding (or: the Hebrew children) Four for the four that stood at the door Five for the gospel preachers (or: the five that came back alive) Six for the six that never got fixed Seven for the seven that never got to Heaven Eight for the eight that waited at the gate Nine for the nine all dressed so fine (or: the nine that stood in the line) Ten for the Ten Commandments Eleven for the eleven deriders Twelve for the twelve Apostles |
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Subject: RE: What to sing for my son's baptism? From: Georgiansilver Date: 09 Apr 08 - 02:38 PM Baptism is a big step and a committment to Christ... 'My Jesus, My Saviour' is a great song and so easy to sing. Best wishes, Mike. |
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Subject: RE: What to sing for my son's baptism? From: Tinker Date: 09 Apr 08 - 03:34 PM Since it is also Pentecost Pass It On has a parenting type of message and what about Sweet Sweet Spirt (not sure if that's the title) .... Pass It On W/M Kurt Kaiser It(C) only takes a (Em)spark to (F)get a fire(G) going, And(C) soon all those a(Em)round can(F) warm up in it's (G)glowing That's (F) it is with(C) God's love, (Dm) Once (G)you've ex(Em)perienced (Am)it... You (Dm7) spread His (C)love to (Dm7) every(C)one: You (F) want to (G) pass it (C)on. (C) What a wondrous time is (Em)spring, when(F) all the trees are (G)budding; The(C) birds begin to (Em) sing, the (F)flowers start their (G)blooming. That's (F) how it is with (C)God's love; (Dm7)Once (G) you've ex(Em)perienced (Am) it, you (Dm7)want to(C) sing. "It's (Dm7)fresh like (C)spring:" You (F) want to(G) pass it(C) on. I wish for you my friend, this happiness that I've found. You can depend on Him. It matters not where you're bound. I'll shout it from the mountain top, I want the world to know; The Lord of love has come to me, I want to pass it on. |
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Subject: RE: What to sing for my son's baptism? From: Tig Date: 09 Apr 08 - 04:30 PM How's about Circle of the Sun? I know it's not 'religious' as such but I always think of it as based around the wonders of the world. It's in the digitrad if you want to look at it. |
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Subject: RE: What to sing for my son's baptism? From: Joe Offer Date: 10 Apr 08 - 01:32 AM I think "Circle of the Sun" would be great - any you could tailor the words of some verses to fit the occasion. I posted the tune to Cary Landry's "By Name": Click to play-Joe- |
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Subject: RE: What to sing for my son's baptism? From: GUEST,highlandman Date: 10 Apr 08 - 09:48 AM Hey Claire- Yesterday I wrote: "Sacred Harp or Christian Harmony book -- these are more or less the definitive collections of Appalachian spiritual songs" and you wrote: "I was going to see what Jean Ritchie might mention on her website, but it is down." Well... of course Jean _is_ the definitive _living_ collection :-) As you probably realize, she checked in on the other thread yesterday (the one worrying about her) and mentioned she had worked up a reply to this one, but it got lost. I'd love to see what she has to suggest, too. -Glenn |
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Subject: RE: What to sing for my son's baptism? From: Padre Date: 10 Apr 08 - 10:33 AM May I recommend 'Liebster Jesu' from the Hymnal 1940 section on Sacraments (Hymn 186): Blessed Jesus, here are we, Thy beloved word obeying, Now this child doth come to thee, As thou biddest in thy saying, "Let the little ones be given unto me; of such is heaven." Words: Benjamin Schmolck (Translated by Winfred Douglas) Music: Johann Rudolph Ahle |
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Subject: RE: What to sing for my son's baptism? From: goatfell Date: 10 Apr 08 - 10:42 AM I got Baptisted and yet there was no songs at that one, mid you it was in Australia during their winter and it was a swimming pool and the water was freezing |
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Subject: RE: What to sing for my son's baptism? From: ClaireBear Date: 10 Apr 08 - 12:22 PM Hello all, Jean's lovely suggestions were as follows: She suggested five of her own songs: "Now is the Cool of the Day," "The Peace Round," "See That Rainbow Shine," "May Day Day," and, "Early Fields." (I like all of these, and "Early Fields" is a particular stunner.) She also said she loved Joe's suggestion, "By Name." For a traditionsl option, she seconded "Wondrous Love." I am pondering my wealth of choices and have made no selection yet. Whatever it is I'll probably be doing it acapella or, less likely, with dulcimer, concertina or harp (if I can get it restrung in time). I was wavering in the direction of a Sacred Harp piece, but evidently the base section of our choir -- all one of him -- will be absent that Sunday, so shape note singing is pretty much out. Drat! Thanks for all your help, and feel free to keep helping! Claire |
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Subject: RE: What to sing for my son's baptism? From: Fliss Date: 10 Apr 08 - 01:07 PM You say your son is 8 years old, why not ask him what hymn he would like you to sing, after all its him getting baptised!! I was christened in the Church of England as a baby, but was brought up a non-conformist, so I was baptised by my own choice at 18. The water wasnt too cold, the white dress was weighted down at the hem, but as Id forgotten a spare pair of knickers I was afraid of it floating up and giving the minister a thrill! fliss |
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Subject: RE: What to sing for my son's baptism? From: ClaireBear Date: 10 Apr 08 - 01:37 PM If I asked my son he'd request something about dinosaurs or dragons, and then be terribly disappointed when I was unable to comply -- otherwise that is certainly what I would do. I've never attended a full-immersiom baptism -- sounds very exciting! |
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Subject: RE: What to sing for my son's baptism? From: GUEST,highlandman Date: 10 Apr 08 - 02:53 PM >If I asked my son he'd request something about dinosaurs or dragons... Ah, there you go! "Tannin" by Kemper Crabb. A teaser:
Ye dragons who serve His word; For fiery praise is fit to raise To the maker of heaven and earth...." -Glenn |
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Subject: RE: What to sing for my son's baptism? From: ClaireBear Date: 10 Apr 08 - 03:34 PM You slay me, highlandman, in a good way of course! I'll look it up! Claire |
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Subject: RE: What to sing for my son's baptism? From: ClaireBear Date: 10 Apr 08 - 04:03 PM Hnmmm, singularly unavailable on CD, and I can't do downloads. Can anyone perhaps point me to a whole lyric, and maybe a tune sample, for "Tannin"...or somewhere that I could acquire a CD? (The CD is called "the Vigil.") Thanks, Claire |
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Subject: RE: What to sing for my son's baptism? From: Highlandman Date: 10 Apr 08 - 11:40 PM Claire, check PM's. -Glenn (with cookie for once!) |
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Subject: RE: What to sing for my son's baptism? From: GUEST,woodsie Date: 11 Apr 08 - 12:02 AM I agree "Wade In The Water" seems a good song, so does "Oh Happy Day" as sung by The Edwin Hawkin Singers all those years ago! |
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Subject: RE: What to sing for my son's baptism? From: ClaireBear Date: 11 Apr 08 - 11:10 AM No PMs, Highlandman; could it have vanished into the aether like Kytrad's? Perhaps the highland distilleries have banded together and absconded with it because you had the temerity to use your real name, which seems to be their property. (See the associated thread "Who Owns the Glen?" Woodsie, on the few occasions we haven't sung Wade in the Water for Baptisms, we've sung O Happy Day! I do a mean lead on that one. But this hymn will be only me singing -- no choir to back me up -- so those great big wonderful black gospel pieces are pretty much out. I have a lot of voice, but I haven't found a way to sing in parts by myself. Thank you for the lovely suggestion, though. I wrote a little dragon song for Martin yesterday afternoon. I don't think it's quite churchy enough for a baptism, but I'll share it with y'all anyway. I wish you could hear the tune, but you'll just have to trust me that those irregular quantities of syllables do actually scan in context. Martin is a VERY bouncy child, so the tune has to be, as well. I'd just been reading some of Tabster's lyrics when I started to "get" this one, so it's shamefully derivative. But anyway... Martin's Baptismal Dragon Song Mother there's a Dragon circling the house. Don't you see the shadow of His mighty wings? Mother there's a Dragon circling the house, And He says that he's the King of Kings. Mother there's a Dragon skittering about. Don't you hear the clicking of his claws across the boards? Mother there's a Dragon skittering about. And He says that he's the Lord of Lords. Mother there's a Dragon sitting on my brow Tapping on my head as He tries to catch my eye Mother there's a Dragon sitting on my brow And He says that I can learn to fly. Mother there's a Dragon deep inside my heart Now that He's within me, I know just what to do. Mother there's a Dragon deep inside my heart. He'd like to be within you, too. Mother there's a Dragon helping us do right Keeping us from danger, showing us the way Giving us His wisdom in the deepest night And joy to greet the break of day. Mother there's a Dragon and he says that we must part. He says He has prepared me and work is to be done. But He's shown me how to keep you safe inside my heart Just as you will keep your son. Mother there's a Dragon's cottage on a distant shore, A cottage by the sand, and He says we hold the key Whatever happens next here I will be ready for If I know you're waiting there for me. |
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Subject: RE: What to sing for my son's baptism? From: DonMeixner Date: 11 Apr 08 - 11:14 AM "Circle Game" |
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Subject: RE: What to sing for my son's baptism? From: Highlandman Date: 11 Apr 08 - 12:56 PM Tried the PM again, this time it shows up on my "sent" messages. Now I'm off to investigate the 'Glen' thread to see what kind of trouble I'm in. -Glenn (the real one) |
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Subject: RE: What to sing for my son's baptism? From: Neil D Date: 11 Apr 08 - 07:41 PM "Shall We Gather At The River" |
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Subject: RE: What to sing for my son's baptism? From: catspaw49 Date: 11 Apr 08 - 07:51 PM Baptism? .....yeah........uh.....well.........I was thinking "Don't Go Near the Water" might be done as good advice if nothing else............................................ Spaw |
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Subject: RE: What to sing for my son's baptism? From: Fliss Date: 12 Apr 08 - 03:02 PM When a Knight won his spurs... thats got dragons in it!! I think your song for Martin is ace. What better than something from the heart. I think he would feel very special to have had a song written just for him. hugs Fliss |
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