As a prolific songwriter I have written a lot of raps and jugband music and other things but one thing I have not yet written is a religious hymn.
Singing has always been an important part of church. Most churches have a pipe organ to sing along to. Some even have a guitar and drums, which is okay as long as you don't get too wild.
I remember church songs being pretty enjoyable to sing so that's why I want to write one. But what qualifies as a "hymn?" It seems like the lyricist is expected to really stick to the point. It's not like pop music. Your hymn cannot secretly be about drugs or masturbating. It has to be real basic like...
gOd iS bEaUtIfUl
gOd iS gReAt
tHaNk yOu gOd
fOr tHe fOoD wE aTe
(That's a special after-dinner hymn I wrote TODAY. Feel free to use it.)
Certain metaphors are allowed, but almost always the same ones. Sheep and shepherds and flocks. Why always sheep? Why can't the Lord herd goats sometimes? There is nothing sinful about goats. Or how about Jesus as a zookeeper?
aLL tHe lOrD's cHiLdReN
aRe mOnKeYs aNd bEaRs
sAfE iN oUr cAgE
wHiLe tHe oUtSiDeRs sTaRe
(The "outsiders" are those that have not yet accepted Him. See? That's metaphor.)
Anyway I feel both of the above songs are good but not good ENOUGH. The church deserves better. I am going to spend the next week in asylum working on a top-notch hymn. Any priests or other religious leaders that are reading this and wish to offer their blessings please e-mail me. If it's too many of you I can't promise to write back, though, I'll be pretty busy.
Click HERE.
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