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(This post was written prior to 2016, in a blog entitled “Jubal’s Jottings.”)
Studying the history of music in the context of worship brought a pointed review of some things to ponder about my family roots. Somewhere back in time my forebearers came from the line of worshipers that were down the line known as Separatist, Non-conformist, and Dissenter. No other way to cut it! It makes me chuckle a little to think of someone back in my family line being a rebel! My family history dates back somewhere into southwestern England…farmers, apparently. It would really intrigue me to find out who back there decided to not be a part of the Anglican Church, and why they made that decision. I guess I’ll never find out. Was it an easy decision, or were they persecuted in some way? Was it an issue of politics or economics? Is that why they ended up coming to the U.S. in the mid-1800’s?
Besides that, somewhere along the way we ended up traveling down a path into the Free Church, Revivalist side of things. No other way to see that either. That’s who we are! Musically that put me in a place to be singing all the gospel songs that the Harvard Dictionary of Music calls “pallid imitations of popular tunes” and lyrics that “plumbed the depths of commonness.” Those are strong words for the songs I grew up singing…songs like “Wonderful Words of Life” and “Just As I Am.” We were definitely in the Fanny Crosby, Philip Bliss, Ira Sankey camp! We even did some shaped notes for a period of time! And, it points to a constant battle that trained musicians have always had with this Revivalist side of things…the conflict being that the Harvard Dictionary of Music is absolutely correct. The lyrics and musical character of much of what we grew up singing in church is really not very good quality when shoved through the grid of musical training. Conflict rages between the singing of “I Will Sing of My Redeemer” and musical/lyrical analytical evaluation. At the same time, I’m a little ashamed to say that I may have reacted against some of the heartfelt expressions of my formative faith to an extreme because I was above that in some way. Now I “know better.” Maybe it’s good for me to have had this study in order to see that I have these rebellious roots…to acknowledge what has formed me…and to proudly sing “Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine!”
Jubal, do you know “Blessed Assurance?” Chant me a verse and chorus.