Several thoughts here:

Wilco, you know what my ideas are about old hymns and where to find 'em!

McGrath says "For some reason I find cheerful songs are generally particularly depressing. I think that's probably because they feel like they're lying. Life can be pretty grim at times, and you have to find a way of getting through it and a way being joyful in the face of it. Cheerful happy stuff doesn't help with that, and that's where a lot of older hymns are better - they understand that; and the good new ones do as well."

Well said!! I think that may be one of the reasons I love the minor/Dorian Sacred Harp tunes-- this life is full of troubles, but there's A Better Land a'comin' [and Burke, I know that's a major tune, but it makes the point] I draw strength from the knowledge that these old minor tunes were a source of strength for those gone on before- many of whom suffered more hardships than I'll ever know...

And Susan, I love the criteria you set forth. That's really what it's all about.

Today I was driving home from a weekend with my folks, and was still out of range of my favorite Moody Bible radio station, and had to [or did, for awhile]settle for a local Christian station's take on praise music. "Our God is awesome" over and over, and I about gagged. Now, I love "Our God is an Awesome God" [Rich Mullins] which has rhythm, rhymes, and presents a strong statement. I wondered how much difference was due to the placement of the word awesome in the line? Then, a bit later, they played several Brittany Spears-type jingles in a row...arghh.

OTOH, I have found myself singing the words to Confidence [270]in the Sacred Harp today, anticipating the President's speech. [and, not to go political, but to explain that, while he has my support, my faith is in One Much Higher] "Away my unbelieving fear; fear shall in me no more have place. My Saviour does not yet appear; He hides the Glory of His face. But shall I therefore let Him go, and basely to the tempter yield? No, in the strength Jesus, no, I never will give up my Shield"

These days we need strong words....or at least, I do.