Lenten Hymn

A few weeks ago, I attended a Sacred Harp singing with a professor and couple friends from school. Sacred Harp is true North American religious folk music. I was struck by the sound and the style of singing, but also by the method of writing. Many of the hymn lyrics were taken from older songs and a new melody was added to them. Sometimes this created an interesting juxtaposition of melody and lyrics, some of which worked better than others. However, it often caused me to pay attention to the lyrics in a new way hearing them housed in a new melody and harmonies. I've wondered ever since this gathering how this concept might translate to my own seemingly-conflicting loves of older church hymns and contemporary rock and folk music. Additionally, I have long found myself dissatisfied with the current state of "Christian" Music, especially as it filters into the churches life of worship. I'm not entirely convinced that "Christan" should ever refer to a sub-genre of music. Many folk and blues songs are "Christian" in their content. Why can't Christian artists just make music? A Christian sister a several years ago caught me in a moment of complaint about this state of things and challenged me to do something about it. So here's an early attempt at doing just that.

The lyrics are from a hymn I found on the public domain written by George Hunt Smyttan in 1856. I was attracted to these lyrics as the church enters into the season of Lent, and as I've been preparing a sermon this week dealing with Luke's account of the temptation of Christ. I do not think I have ever heard the original hymn sung, so I wrote my own melody and accompaniment around the lyrics. Hope you enjoy it as much as I've enjoyed working on it.