I was given a CD by a friend who thinks he’s quite the Catholic music buff. Well, the CD was pretty much a countdown of the worst folk hymns and Mass settings (if they can even be called that) that came from the 1960’s-1980’s. I did remember one which my school used to sing at every Mass – “Let us Build the City of God.” Well, seeing as how that melody was burned into my head before I had any real clue what proper liturgy was, I decided to rewrite it for your entertainment.
1. Awake from your slumber! Arise from your sleep!
The old Mass returns now, for all those who weep.
The people in darkness have seen a great light.
The Pope of our longing sets liturgy right .Refrain: Let us follow the rubrics of God.
May our Mass be turned into Latin.
For the Lord our light and our love has turned the night into day.2. a.We are sons of the surplice; we reverse the decay.
With Mass facing eastwards, the only true way.
b. The Lord of all kindness has called us to see
a Mass for His people to set their hearts free.
(Refrain)
3. a. God is light; in Him there is no darkness.
Let us walk in His light, chanting Latin, one and all!.b. Instruct all my people, preach Truth every week,
with the Credo in Latin, and the Kyrie in Greek.
(Refrain)
4. a. O city of gladness now lift up your voice,
proclaim the good tidings that all may rejoice!
This video is the original version – the number of verses varies depending on the performer.
Tags: Music Sacred Catholic Liturgical and Chant, Orthodoxy at Work, Thou Shalt Laugh
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Excellent!!! That would definitely be more enjoyable to listen to. We could only pray that those words will come to fruition.
Oh dear. I know that song from Aquinas. >_>;
There isn’t room for both? I think the so called documents allow both. Beauty is in the ear (eye also) of the beholder if the subject is well composed. To each their own, Latin for Latin Mass and English for English Mass. Marty Haugen certainly beats what I had to listen to on the bus sometimes! At least I know Haugen is honest; the boom box blasted horrible stuff. I’ll let you guys fight the music “issue.” Both could be OK with me.
It’s a parody, not a doctoral thesis, Bill. lol
Building the City of God is the Seton Catholic School’s slogan and school song.
Gen-
This is AWESOME!!
Great parody! 🙂
City of God is actually one of my favorite songs,
but now I don’t think I’ll ever hear it the same way! 😉
BTW- LOVE CF 2.0!!
Peace!
Hey Persis, I like your post. Nothing wrong with the modern composition if it fits the classification usage for liturgical music (which C of G does). Some of the old time traditional stuff is also. I remember from youth singing Holy God We Praise Thy Name. Always loved it. Went to Germany and heard it in a German Catholic Mass, then discoverred that it is “Grosser Gott,” one of the finest of Lutheran hymns. If you can’t beat ’em, steal their music!! I think we should mix up the music to show the beauty of both, actually. Those that like contemporary can be satisfied as well as the a Latin piece. I love the Responsorial Psalm “I Will Praisse Your Name (Psalm 100? I forget). Beautiful, and English as well. Great day to drive a bus! The wind is right up there…