Non-conformist hymns

Subject: Non-conformist hymns
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 28 Nov 02 - 06:04 AM

In our little band of jolly folk we sing quite a few non-conformist hymns. One or two of our local session friends roll their eyes at them. We have performed a few at folk clubs and heard mutterings about 'the God slot'. We enjoy singing these pieces because the harmonies are wonderful. Is it fair to subject our audiences to these hymns? Should we choose only to perform them at general public events and churches? Btw We are not a religious group. We do mix them in with trad and contemp.

Sally

Subject: RE: Non-conformist hymns
From: IanC
Date: 28 Nov 02 - 06:19 AM

Mrs Lemon

If people enjoy it, why not ... if they don't, leave them out.

I've found that in the most part, they're not received that well in sessions locally. You have to do what suits.

:-)

Subject: RE: Non-conformist hymns
From: Skipjack K8
Date: 28 Nov 02 - 06:34 AM

Parodies, like 'What a friend we have in cheeses' go down well, but for the more sincere stuff, one belter per night is probably more effective than carpet bombing.

Subject: RE: Non-conformist hymns
From: wysiwyg
Date: 28 Nov 02 - 10:36 AM

What does "nonconformist hymn" mean?

~Susan

Subject: RE: Non-conformist hymns
From: sian, west wales
Date: 28 Nov 02 - 10:44 AM

Nonconformists are Protestant ("Chapel"), but not "Church" (ie. Anglican). I'm not sure where the Methodists come in, as they were more of a Church splinter group - seems to me - rather than a whole new denomination. At least, they were when they started out ...

But I'm no historian ...

I don't think 'nonconformist' is much used in North America but it is in Britain.

sian

Subject: RE: Non-conformist hymns
From: wysiwyg
Date: 28 Nov 02 - 10:57 AM

Hm, so is this the equivalent of American "gospel" or more like Lutheran and other Protestant church-authorized hymnody?

~Susan

Subject: RE: Non-conformist hymns
From: mack/misophist
Date: 28 Nov 02 - 11:09 AM

Try telling the audience why you want to sing these songs. Maybe they'll listen and enjoy the harmonies with you. If not, ditch the hymns.

Subject: RE: Non-conformist hymns
From: sian, west wales
Date: 28 Nov 02 - 11:25 AM

Susan, it's the mainstream church hymnody, not gospel, although I would imagine Sally uses a lot of the early 1900s revivalist hymns.

Sally ... Sanky Moody, Lowell Mason et al? or "Jesu, Lover of My Soul" type hymns?

sian

Subject: RE: Non-conformist hymns
From: Pied Piper
Date: 28 Nov 02 - 11:47 AM

Do You sing "in the good old way". Sends a shiver down my back and I'm an atheist.
Must be the Methodist Sunday School in me.
All the best PP.

Subject: RE: Non-conformist hymns
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 28 Nov 02 - 11:55 AM

Lots of marvellous harmonies in Welsh hymn tunes (Rachie, Cwm Rhondda, Blaenwern etc.,) and if sung in the original tongue there is little chance of them being understood, let alone objected to!

Nigel

Subject: RE: Non-conformist hymns
From: Trevor
Date: 30 Nov 02 - 05:11 AM

Hi Sian. Yes, we've got a couple of Sankys. They do tend to be the 'belters' and most have a chorus. We do usually introduce them by saying that we do them because we enjoy the sound that singing them makes (although I always think that sounds like an apology!)and, to be honest, the comments from the locals are generally good-natured joshing. I suppose our worry is that people may get the impression that we are crusaders. Mind you, having said all of that, we've only got half a dozen in a pretty wide repertoire, and I always reckon that if it's good enough for The Watersons........

(And yes, PP, we sing 'The Good Old Way'. And anybody who happens to be in the Bishops Castle area tonight will find us gigging at The Poppy House for the Christmas Lights Fest)

Subject: RE: Non-conformist hymns
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 30 Nov 02 - 09:45 AM

Oh yes siree!

Subject: RE: Non-conformist hymns
From: Santa
Date: 30 Nov 02 - 05:20 PM

Methodists were quite definitely non-conformists, probably the most important group of such in England. Nowadays much in decline.

Despite being a raging atheist, I don't have any problem with people singing hymns during folk concerts, as long as there aren't too many of them and they are good songs. I've never agreed with General Booth's comment on the devil and good tunes, there's some great stuff in the religious traditions. I used to love "Hills of the North Rejoice" at school, though thinking it could be usefully revived as part of a campaign for Northumbrian nationalism.

And Maddy Prior's Xmas carol concerts with the medieval band were something special. (I'll remember the band's name immediately after signing off. The Harvest band?)

Subject: RE: Non-conformist hymns
From: IanC
Date: 02 Dec 02 - 05:12 AM

Carnival Band

Subject: RE: Non-conformist hymns
From: sian, west wales
Date: 02 Dec 02 - 05:42 AM

Santa, it would seem that we're both right about Methodists and Nonconformists. There's an article here

Also, the Methodists also made a major contribution in Wales, as well as England. Presumably the same can be said of Scotland... possibly internationally. The Methodist sunday schools took literacy to the very poorest and certainly gave Wales one of the highest literacy rates of Europe. (oops. Thread drift.)

sian

Subject: RE: Non-conformist hymns
From: Folkie
Date: 02 Dec 02 - 08:04 AM

We sing hymns all the time in Vital Spark and I don't think any of us are religious; we just enjoy the music and the wonderful harmonies.

Subject: RE: Non-conformist hymns
From: Burke
Date: 02 Dec 02 - 11:59 AM

Go ahead & do them, but please, do them straight. Do not camp them & do not issue a disclaimer that you don't believe them. You may actually have believers in your audience & you will make them every bit as uncomfortable as the non-believers you may have satisfied. Go ahead & say why you consider the music folk & leave your personal beliefs to be guessed or become apparent from other parts of your program.

Subject: RE: Non-conformist hymns
From: Genie
Date: 02 Dec 02 - 12:20 PM

Isn't the worldwide popularity of "Amazing Grace" proof that lots of folks like to hear a good hymn even if they are not Christian or not religious?

Subject: RE: Non-conformist hymns
From: Pied Piper
Date: 02 Dec 02 - 12:20 PM

"Hills of the north rejoice". I'd forgotten about that one it's a great song. The more I reflect on my musical tastes, the more I think those school hymns affected me.
Jerusalem
Plough the fields and scatter
Bread of heaven
Those in peril on the sea
Lord of all hope fullness (it's actually a trad tune)
The above, my Mum's collection of Vaughn Williams albums, and my Dad's Burl Ives.
It's no wonder I spend fare too much time on this forum.
All the best PP

Subject: RE: Non-conformist hymns
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 05 Dec 02 - 07:06 AM

I'm grateful for all the opinions on this subject, it gives me food for thought. ( And augument with Trev! )

Sal

Subject: RE: Non-conformist hymns
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 08 Dec 02 - 04:15 PM

'Arguement' with Trev. Now he'll tease me about my spelling!

Subject: RE: Non-conformist hymns
From: COINWOLF
Date: 08 Dec 02 - 06:18 PM

Hello Mrs Lemon !
Are you coming to the next Upton Folk festival?
2nd to 5th May 2003

Is there a category we have missed?

We have Vital Spark with their West gallery Music.

We have our gospel session, and our Folk Festival Service?

Non Conformist hymns welcome in either gospel or Folk Service, but does it deserve attention in it's own right!

Love your lemons,

regards,

Festival Cat