Thursday, January 22nd, 2009
I’m by no means an authority on the musicology of religious music, or any music for that matter. But I won’t wait around for an honorary degree from Union Theological Seminary to delve into a flighty dissection of the Welcome Wagon’s debut collection of cover songs and hymns, which, on closer inspection, begins to unravel an inspiring excursion through the landscape of the sacred and profane. I should know; I produced the album. And like many overly anxious producers, I’ve lately felt the motivation to impart my own brand of “rumors and ruminations” on some of the material I helped facilitate on this transcendental record. This sidebar post is meant as my own opinionated primer—a navigational brochure, per se—on the songs that appear on this new collection of “church music.” Happy journeys, godly listeners of the world!
Track 5: HAIL TO THE LORD’S ANOINTED
words: James Montgomery
music: Vito Aiuto
Hail to the Lord\’s Anointed
“Hail To the Lord’s Anointed,” a paraphrase of psalm 72, is a litany of Judaic exultations enumerating, with grand poetic lyricism, the many roles of the God Messiah— Breaker of Oppression, Freer of Captives, Reliever of Transgression, Ruler of Equity, Song-giver, Helper of the poor and needy, Sower of Love, Peace-giver, flower of righteousness. In any other context, the vague abstract exclamations would grow tedious: Never, Forever, Love, Joy, Hope! Like most religious fervor, it all begins to collapse under the weight of its own significance. But Monique’s unembellished accent (delivered with the plainsong of a Midwestern recitation) uncovers luxurious epiphanies with such steadfast matter-of-factness that even the grandest of clichés begins to sound equitable, noble, and wise.
James Montgomery’s original text has been set to a few different accompaniments, but, to my ears, they all have that same claustrophobic, Germanic stuffiness of church pews and tight collars. Not my bag.
Let’s help boost this poor organist’s hits on Ye Ol’ YouTube:
Or, if Midi’s your game.
Filed under: music, thewelcomewagon
