“The church has forgotten the old hymn ‘Come, We That Love the Lord.’ I’ve never heard this song in any worship service and I’ll bet you haven’t either. Try to hum the opening line.” - CToday
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“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17)
Bring Back Isaac Watts’s Biggest Hit
Since 2005
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NewYes
It’s a great pick. We sang it at Grace several times a year during my years there.
Views expressed are always my own and not my employer's, my church's, my family's, my neighbors', or my pets'. The house plants have authorized me to speak for them, however, and they always agree with me.
NewGreat song, but unknown tune (to me)
That’s a great song, and I could visualize the words from the title, but the tune I’ve sung in the past is different from the one in the article, which is much more somber and stately. I think I could get behind that one too.
Dave Barnhart
NewGreat song
There are two different tunes in the article. The second one, sung by the Mennonite choir, is the one I know. I do love this hymn and need to use it soon!
NewTunes
The St. Thomas tune was the original and usual one, and I think better. The Robert Lowry tune was the new (then) revivalistic/Gospel song era tune and thus the one most are familiar with. IMO, the first tune is more conducive to worship.
"Some things are of that nature as to make one's fancy chuckle, while his heart doth ache." John Bunyan
NewNord Zootman wrote:
You’re right — I totally missed the additional tune at the end of the article. And yes, that 2nd one is the one I know as well.
As to which is more appropriate for worship, I think it would depend. I’m also familiar with 2 tunes for “All Hail the Power,” and I think both are usable depending on the character of the worship service. Although I suspect some would consider me a heretic for saying this, sometimes the right choice of tune, when more than one is available, is almost as important as the right choice of text. I personally try to avoid a lot of what came out of the “Gospel Song” era, as much of it should be forgotten, IMHO, but some of those tunes rose above the general mediocrity of religious songs of that time period.
Dave Barnhart
NewChoosing a different tune can
Choosing a different tune can be a good thing if used carefully. Usually people enjoy singing what they already know and probably sing and worship better so I usually would recommend what the congregation is familiar with but singing “old” words to a “new” tune can make people focus more and switch out of the auto mode of mouthing words without thought.
NewTune Choices
It is good to remember that in Watts’ time, the hymnals contained just the poetry and because there were a limited number of meters and a variety of standard tunes, it was not uncommon for the worship leader to call for the hymn AND the tune.
"Some things are of that nature as to make one's fancy chuckle, while his heart doth ache." John Bunyan
NewLove this hymn
We sing this hymn. It’s one of my favs.