Appropriate Music for MLK Day
  • bhcordovabhcordova
    Posts: 1,164
    What would be appropriate music to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day?
  • francis
    Posts: 10,826
    hmmm... at the risk of sounding "narrow minded", why are we celebrating MLK in the Mass? Independence Day is one thing, but MLK???

    http://www.ccwatershed.org/blog/2014/jul/4/should-we-sing-patriotic-hymns-mass/
    Thanked by 4CharlesW Ben noel jones, aago moderntrad
  • Scott_WScott_W
    Posts: 468
    The music you normally program for Monday of Week 2 in Ordinary time.
    Thanked by 3CharlesW Ben moderntrad
  • Chris Garton-Zavesky
    Posts: 6,902
    Francis, Scott,

    In fairness, BhCordova didn't ask "appropriate music for Mass".

    BhCordova,

    Assuming Francis and Scott are right, why are you trying to plan music for the celebration of Martin Luther King day? I"ll go a step farther than Francis will on this one: "holidays" which aren't on the LITURGICAL calendar shouldn't be celebrated as if they are.
    Thanked by 1CharlesW
  • melofluentmelofluent
    Posts: 4,160
    Oh for goodness' sake.

    LIFT EVERY VOICE AND SING
    IN CHRIST THERE IS NO EAST OR WEST
    LEAD ME, GUIDE ME
    DON'T BE WORRIED (G.W. Brown)
    JERUSALEM, MY HAPPY HOME
    STAND BY ME (T. Kendzia)
    FREE AT LAST (spiritual)

    and so forth
    Thanked by 6Spriggo Adam Wood CHGiffen Olivier bhcordova PaxMelodious
  • tsoapm
    Posts: 79
    Ubi caritas with translation if necessary? We’ve learnt Ola Gjeilo’s version.
  • francis
    Posts: 10,826
    o jeesh... what was I thinking!

    Here's a couple more!

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=d-diB65scQU

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=V1bFr2SWP1I
  • Chris Garton-Zavesky
    Posts: 6,902
    Melo,

    You've assumed that, mostly, music from what I think is termed "the Black experience" is appropriate.

    If he had become Catholic, I might support the singing of Amazing Grace, which I usually abhor.
  • Jeffrey Quick
    Posts: 2,086
    Chris,
    Given the subject of the Forum, I don't think it's an unwarranted assumption that it's for Mass.

    If I were doing a Mass and somebody in authority demanded I "do something for MLK", I'd look for chant in honor of St. Mauritius, or a song in honor of the Ugandan martyrs. I don't think it's the job of the Church to canonize Protestant philanderers, even if they're ministers and martyrs.

    Now, if you're talking secular choirs, we need somebody here who is active in that world, because I don't know nearly enough about new choral repertoire.. The MLK pieces that come to my mind are orchestral, so probably not what is wanted.
    Thanked by 2francis Ben
  • melofluentmelofluent
    Posts: 4,160
    Chris, the only thing I assumed was the OP's request for appropriate music for MLK day meant what it asked. I presumed not to provide any lecture, admonishment or snark such as others have offered instead via comment and video clips. Honestly speaking, the pedantry and pettiness proffered here is off-putting in extremis, not to mention a predilection and preference for alliteration!
    Thanked by 5Spriggo noel jones, aago Olivier bhcordova Richard Mix
  • francis
    Posts: 10,826
    melo

    Say what you will. This is a forum for sacred music in the RC rite. If someone asks for music for a Mass in which the subject matter is MLK, I offered a reasonable response to the OP. I even precursored my response with being 'narrow minded' to give them an out. The forum is ALSO educational, and we members are often educating the masses here (pun intended).

    Your response, however, was the beginning of snark, [Oh for goodness' sake.] so I snarked back at you! (not the OP)

    S... S... S... SNARK! ... Gazuntheit!

    btw... I think both of those video selections would be perfect for an MLK event. I might even include 'Happy' by Mr. P. Williams.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6Sxv-sUYtM

    I like all three of those selections a lot!
    Thanked by 1Ben
  • BenBen
    Posts: 3,114
    Chris, the only thing I assumed was the OP's request for appropriate music for MLK day meant what it asked.


    So I guess it's irrelevant that he posted it in a forum which is for liturgical music discussion?
    Thanked by 3francis noel jones, aago moderntrad
  • StimsonInRehabStimsonInRehab
    Posts: 1,933
    http://www3.cpdl.org/wiki/index.php/Nigra_sum_sed_formosa
    Thanked by 2Ben Adam Wood
  • melofluentmelofluent
    Posts: 4,160
    Gentlemen,
    I'll forego addressing any contention now and further after this observation: this forum has seen more than its fair share of non-liturgical music digressions to which most folks have been a party.
    PS. I still and yet haven't identified those parties; no one need have taken umbrage. And to be clear and precise (which my language was), the OP requested music for the DAY. Nothing was mentioned specifically about a ritual usage.
  • Liam
    Posts: 5,093
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1g0bd-UUZU
  • melofluentmelofluent
    Posts: 4,160
    Stimson, congratulations upon your postulate.
    Help me out: how does the scriptural allusion "Nigra sum" inform MLK day?
  • BenBen
    Posts: 3,114
    Help me out: how does the scriptural allusion "Nigra sum" inform MLK day?


    He's making a black joke...
  • melofluentmelofluent
    Posts: 4,160
    How appropriate. I was hoping it wasn't a joke.
  • melofluentmelofluent
    Posts: 4,160
    The cavalier attitude and echo-room philosophy is a bit too much right now.
    Checking out of CMAA for a while. Don't worry, be happy.
  • Adam WoodAdam Wood
    Posts: 6,482
    I took the Nigra Sum suggestion literally, and thought that it could be an appropriate choice.

    I would need to think on this more, and ask around, but I'm just saying I wouldn't rule it out off-hand. I know many people of color who use this line as a sort of spiritual motto of sorts, and I think it shows up in some relevant 20th c. literature on black pride, etc.
    Thanked by 2CCooze StimsonInRehab
  • CharlesW
    Posts: 11,980
    Although I don't play for daily masses - no one does - the holiday wouldn't have mattered. The parish doesn't celebrate events that are not on the liturgical calendar. On occasion, I have included a patriotic hymn the Sunday following a national holiday. That is mostly for the benefit of our numerous veterans who appreciate such things. I didn't know some parishes celebrate non-liturgical civil holidays at mass.
    Thanked by 2Ben CCooze
  • StimsonInRehabStimsonInRehab
    Posts: 1,933
    I didn't mean it as a joke. I'm sure the late reverend doctor would see no problem using the cultural patrimony of the church to speak for all people. I mean, such was his "dream", yes?
    Thanked by 3CharlesW melofluent Adam Wood
  • Chris Garton-Zavesky
    Posts: 6,902
    Melo,

    Evidently I wasn't clear. I'll try again.

    The list of music you provided,
    LIFT EVERY VOICE AND SING
    IN CHRIST THERE IS NO EAST OR WEST
    LEAD ME, GUIDE ME
    DON'T BE WORRIED (G.W. Brown)
    JERUSALEM, MY HAPPY HOME
    STAND BY ME (T. Kendzia)
    FREE AT LAST (spiritual)


    seems to assume that to remember Dr. King we must use "Black" music, including your spiritual Free at Last.

    I put it to you that singing Danny Boy and When Irish Eyes are shining and Auld Lang Syne, while perhaps emotionally connecting one to Ireland, isn't appropriate (necessarily) to St. Brendan, St. Patrick, or Bobby Sands, late of the IRA.
  • melofluentmelofluent
    Posts: 4,160
    I know I said I wouldn't comment further, Chris, but your assertions are simply wrong-headed. To nullify your assertion, not one of the titles I listed is secular. Neither are they considered by African-Americans to be "black music." The first two are standard, traditional hymnody. The next two are idiomatic gospel tunes and texts, not necessarily tied to a "black" ethos. LAND OF REST isn't a black spiritual, au contraire. Tom Kendzia is Caucasian. "Free at last" is, again, religious and was cited by Dr. King at the DC March. And, of course, it is not "my spiritual."
    Look, I want to be done with this, and wish not to be further baited and extenuated. Helping a colleague on the forum was my only intent. The extent of the fraternal corrections herein have proven less than friendly.
    Thanked by 3CHGiffen Spriggo noel jones, aago
  • Chris Garton-Zavesky
    Posts: 6,902
    Melo,

    I'll take your assertions to be entirely accurate, and stand down.
    Thanked by 1melofluent
  • bhcordovabhcordova
    Posts: 1,164
    Well, MLK Day is a holi(holy) day.
  • CCoozeCCooze
    Posts: 1,259
    Today's Robert E Lee day.
    Just sayin'.
    Thanked by 3Ben StimsonInRehab francis
  • Adam WoodAdam Wood
    Posts: 6,482
    Today's Robert E Lee day.

    USPS ought to issue a stamp!

    (Just sayin'.)
    Thanked by 2Ben StimsonInRehab
  • Chris Garton-Zavesky
    Posts: 6,902
    Adam,

    The NAACP ought to issue a stamp, following The Holy Father's example.
  • CCoozeCCooze
    Posts: 1,259
    At least it would be a better-looking stamp.
  • PaxMelodious
    Posts: 442
    Given the subject of the Forum, I don't think it's an unwarranted assumption that it's for Mass.


    Last time I noticed, this was the discussion forum of the Church Music Association of America.

    In my world, Eucharistic liturgy (Mass) is the source and summit of the community's life.

    But there are many other Church events where music might be, and often is, used. I don't see that they should be off limits.

  • francis
    Posts: 10,826
    They are not off limits... we are simply questioning what kind of event this is? The answer is still unknown.

    I would LOVE to have a recording of it if it was a Mass.
  • melofluentmelofluent
    Posts: 4,160

    we are simply questioning what kind of event this is?
    I would LOVE to have a recording of it if it was a Mass
    .
    btw... I think both of those video selections would be perfect for an MLK event. I might even include 'Happy' by Mr. P. Williams.


    Bunk. Period.
  • francis
    Posts: 10,826
    1. an MLK event is NOT a Mass!

    2. I would love to have a recording of it if it WAS a Mass for posterity's sake. (and maybe for documentation of what state our church is presently suffering for the example of future reference)

    3. an MLK event that includes my three selections shows what I think of putting MLK on a religious pedestal. (at a Catholic Mass)

    nuff said.

    4. bunk debunked.

    5. ...and it seems that you like to continue the snark.
    Thanked by 1Ben
  • melofluentmelofluent
    Posts: 4,160
    You mistake dismissal for snark. And those rhetorical contortions cannot masque intent. I only continue because you cease to cease.
  • Richard MixRichard Mix
    Posts: 2,799
    Independence Day is one thing, but MLK???
    If the idea is to stand on principal, it considerably weakens one's case to suggest some federal holidays are more equal than others. If anyone really thinks this is one of their holidays, consider this quote:
    Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.


    And to respond to the OP, April 4 is a feast day in the ECUSA, with apt propers.
    Thanked by 2Adam Wood JL
  • StimsonInRehabStimsonInRehab
    Posts: 1,933
    On a side note, perhaps it would be beneficial to reflect on just how positive the current liturgical music scene is when it comes to racial equality. Kevin Allen is a great example. People are less concerned about his race than the fact that he conducts for an SSPX chapel. (I have a dream - of a day when this won't be an issue in the Church . . .)
  • francis
    Posts: 10,826
    RM

    No federal holidays belong in the Mass. But many of us are forced to play ATB or other patriotic songs that have no place in the Mass. I play them reluctantly for a closing hymn if I am asked by the priest. Otherwise I don't include patriotic songs, hymns or fireworks at mass.
  • CCoozeCCooze
    Posts: 1,259
    No "Dixie" today or this past Thursday, eh?
    Thanked by 2CharlesW francis
  • Chris Garton-Zavesky
    Posts: 6,902
    Now that Mr. Trump is President of these (allegedly) United States -- should we play "Hail to the Chief" at Mass?
  • francis
    Posts: 10,826
    no, but

    Observers also spotted that the Oval Office rug has been changed.

    Obama's handwoven Martin Luther King Jr rug has been replaced by Ronald Regan's sunburst patterned one.
  • OlivierOlivier
    Posts: 58
    There have been many masses commemorating the 1916 Easter Rising, whose leaders included Protestants, socialists, and at least one homosexual.
  • MatthewRoth
    Posts: 2,315
    I think one of each, on the Rising.

    And I would like to think those were Masses for the dead and to pray for a peaceful (united) Ireland…
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