FOUR REASONS TO SET
NEW TEXT TO FAMILIAR TUNES
For
centuries, the church has utilized familiar tunes with variations of text in
congregational worship. Those who have studied church music and hymnody are
likely familiar with the crossover between texts, tunes, and meters. Only in
recent years has it been common to associate a particular tune with only one
set of text, e.g. Amazing Grace with
the NEW BRITAIN tune; yet, there are marvelous benefits to setting new text to
familiar tunes. Such a practice can help both worship leaders and congregants.
I would like to give four reasons to employ the practice of setting new text to
familiar tunes in congregational worship.
I.
Familiarity
First, familiarity is beneficial to
both the worship leader and the congregation. If a song or tune is familiar,
the congregation sings more boldly, and the worship leader is more confident in
his or her leadership. One might have never led Matt Boswell’s Come, Behold the Wondrous Mystery, a
modern hymn; nonetheless, by setting the text to the NETTLETON tune, most
congregants will be able to more readily sing since they would likely be
familiar with the setting of Come, Thou
Fount of Every Blessing. Many modern hymns engage easy melodies, so
familiarity is usually not an issue. A more familiar tune, however, helps a
congregation, particularly those congregations that might consider a new song
or hymn to be a drastic change. By setting new text to familiar tunes,
congregations feel emboldened and empowered to sing rather than frightened or
violated by the newness.
II.
Freshness
of Text
When we sing a text in the same
manner, we often disassociate the meaning and theological importance it
conveys. By setting new text to familiar tunes, a freshness of meaning can be
realized by worshipers. The theological truths do not change, but over time,
the way we state them certainly does. When we sing new text to familiar tunes,
our minds are more likely to shift from passivity to activity, which
essentially allows us to realize timeless truths articulated in a variation of
ways. Additionally, we can sing the fresh text confidently because we are
familiar with the mode of singing, namely the tune. The freshness of text can
surely revive theological truths in our lives that might otherwise grow merely
routine and stagnant.
III.
Easy
Introduction of New Songs and Hymns
I am a song and hymn writer myself
so in my own context, I often set freshly composed text to familiar tunes
before introducing the new tune itself. Such a habit eases the congregation
into familiarity with the song or hymn. How a worship leader introduces new
music is a vital part of the job. The process undoubtedly varies between
worshiping contexts; nevertheless, worship leaders should consider the best
approach for introducing new music in their own context. For my current
congregation, slower is better. If I introduce a new text by setting it to a
familiar tune first, when the new tune is introduced, the congregation has at
least some relationship with the song already. In that case then, the song is
not an abrupt shift from their norm. Setting new text to familiar tunes then
helps both the congregation and the worship leader. Worship leaders should always
realize their duty to help the people in their mission field (their church)
worship. If a worship leader hinders the worship experience of his or her
congregation, they fail in their duty. While new songs present a vital element
of the worship experience in any local church, setting new text to familiar
tunes can assist greatly in the introduction of new music.
IV.
Elimination
of the Sacred/Secular Divide
It is common to think of music in a
sacred/secular divide. In God’s economy, however, there is no such divide, for
God has created all things for his good pleasure and will. It is humankind that
has corrupted what God has made good. Setting new text to familiar tunes helps
eliminate this false divide. In this case, I suggest using not only hymn-tunes
but secular tunes as well, though great caution must be taken when doing so. A
worship leader’s goal should not be to put the cool-factor on a song by
secularizing it but rather to use the available tools at his or her discretion
to glorify God through congregational worship. If a tune hinders the worship
experience then, it should not be used. This is surely contextual, as secular
tunes have different impacts on different congregations. Many of our known
hymn-tunes were once secular tunes but are still used for congregational
worship. A new association with these tunes has thus been created. Perhaps, a
new association with newer secular tunes should be created as well.
Be mindful of the fact that God
intends for all resources and gifts to glorify him. Worship leadership requires
wisdom, guidance from the Holy Spirit, and learning by failing at times. On a
personal note, I have had tremendous success setting new text to familiar tunes
in my own framework. The practice is not absolutely necessary always nor in every
context; still, it could be beneficial. Hymn-tunes especially are usually written
with singability in mind. When a theological truth is presented through a new text
then, a familiar hymn-tune can help both the congregation and the worship leader.
The four points I have just submitted
illustrate the primary reasons setting new text to familiar tunes has been used
in the church for centuries. Let us sing with joy, with boldness, and a fresh realization
of timeless truths through the melodies we employ to glorify triune God.
