Not surprisingly, many of Luther’s hymns are not the easiest to sing. However, one of the hymns that should be moderately difficult to sing because of its rhythmic pattern turns out to be one that many congregations can sing quite well — Luther’s communion hymn “O Lord, We Praise Thee”. Because of it’s familiarity, some might even say that it is one of Luther’s easy hymns.

Why does it seem so easy? One clear reason is that it is sung frequently and is hence reinforced throughout the years and generations. The young and new people to the Lutheran faith learn from the leading of those around them.

Difficult hymns don’t have to remain difficult. By a careful and deliberate plan, difficult hymns can become beloved and familiar.

Are there any “difficult” hymns that your congregation does not find difficult? How do you introduce new hymns?

Thanks for reading Difficult Hymns That Are Not Difficult.

Take for example this last Sunday – The Baptism of Our Lord. The “official” Hymn of the Day from Lutheran Service Book was Luther’s wonderful baptism / catechism hymn “To Jordan Came the Christ, Our Lord” (LSB 406/407). How many of our Lutheran congregations sang this hymn? My congregation didn’t, but they did get to hear an organ prelude by Zachau.

Lutheran Service Book has made an attempt to make some of these unsung hymns more accessible. In addition to the tune Christ, Unser Herr typically associated with “To Jordan Came the Christ, Our Lord,” LSB also has a new tune Elvet Banks. This last tune also happens to be paired with another of Luther’s hymns “May God Bestow on Us His Grace” (which happened to be the Office Hymn for Morning Prayer at Concordia Theological Seminary on 1/16/08). There are a number of other hymn texts in LSB that have been paired with “new” tunes in hopes they get sung more frequently.

Here’s my plea:

Dear Choir Directors and Choirs – Take the time to learn unfamiliar hymns and gradually share and teach them to your congregation. See my previous post on The Lutheran Choir.

Dear Organists and Instrumentalists – Take the time to learn chorale preludes on unfamiliar hymn tunes and introduce the tune over several weeks or months in different parts of the service. You are preparing the people.

Dear Pastors – Take the time to talk to your parish musicians about choosing hymns. Don’t shy away from a hymn because it is difficult or unfamiliar. Your musicians are valuable assets in introducing and leading the people’s song.

Dear People in the Pews (and Choir Directors, Choir, Parish Musicians, and Pastors) – Take the time to read and meditate on the hymns in the hymnal – at home and church. Deepen your familiarity with the church’s song by listening to CD’s that focus on this hymnody. For example:

• Martin Luther: Hymns, Ballads, Chants, Truth
• Concordia Theological Seminary Kantorei
• St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Children’s Choir
• Hymns for All Saints
• Paul Manz Hymn Improvisations

All of these resources should be available by contacting the Concordia Theological Seminary Bookstore at CPHBookstore@ctsfw.edu. Many are available by contacting Concordia Publishing House.

Blessings as you grow in your understanding of our rich hymnic heritage.

Thanks for reading Singing Difficult Hymns.