Music Spotlight! (Sunday, September 26, 2021)

This week, we are shining a light on two pieces of music in our worship service--a sub-Saharan freedom song and an anthem made popular by the movie "O Brother, Where Art Thou?"

Special Music: "Down to the Water to Pray" Arr. by Pepper Choplin, sung by the Choir

While it is hard to pinpoint the exact origins of the song, “Down to the River to Pray” has been referred to as a hymn, a spiritual, and an Appalachian song. Some believe it was a Native American tribal song that was adapted to include Christian lyrics. It is attributed to George H. Allan in the Slave Songbook of 1867, and Alison Krauss popularized it in the 2000 film, O Brother, Where Art Thou? The song also is known by alternate titles such as “Down in the Valley to Pray,” “Come, Let Us All Go Down” and “The Good Old Way.” Whatever the title might truly be, the deeply spiritual song is about keeping the faith in a time of darkness. [Source]

Closing Hymn: #853 "We Are Marching in the Light of God" (SIYAHAMBA)

Usually translated as “We are marching in the light of God,” “Siyahamba” contains layers of meaning. “We” is a word of community—the community of those living and the community of the living dead. In African traditional society, those who have died are still with us, and their witness may influence the actions of the living. “Marching” is an action that unifies the community, as they move physically and spiritually in the same direction. It is a bodily, kinesthetic response to the leading of the Spirit rather than a passive acquiescence.

Anders Nyberg (b. 1955) disseminated the freedom songs of South Africa to the Western world in the mid-1980s largely under the sponsorship of the Church of Sweden Mission (Lutheran). Nyberg took his Swedish choir, Fjedur, to South Africa in the 1970s. The synergy between the choir from Sweden, one of the most choral cultures in the world, and choirs from South Africa, the most choral culture on that continent, provided the energy to propel these songs throughout the world. Members of Fjedur, in turn, learned songs from South African choirs. Many of these songs were from the liberation movement of black South Africans against apartheid white rule.

When we sing these songs in our worship, we capture hopes of South Africans and also join in their struggle for freedom and the hope that comes from singing in solidarity with all who suffer oppression.

LEARN MORE.

--------------------

Check out the significance of all our hymns and anthems this week!

Opening Hymn: #634 "To God Be the Glory" LEARN MORE.

Middle Hymn: #738 "O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee" LEARN MORE.

Offertory Anthem: "Seek to Serve" by Lloyd Pfautsch

Composed by Lloyd Pfautsch (1921-2003), based on the "Kyrie" from Mass IX "Cum Jubilo" from the 12th century.

(Text):

May I live in the world 

as one who always seeks to serve. 

May I live as one 

who knows the love of God. 

Lord, teach me how to live 

and how to serve. 

With my ears may I hear. 

With my eyes may I see. 

With my lips may I speak. 

May your Word be heard through me. 

Thus as I live each day 

may love sustain the will to serve. 

Amen.