They were formative years and formative hymns, all with a clear meaning and always relevant to one's life.
I find modern hymns, even those with a grudgingly admitted catchy tune, to be less than satisfactory when it comes to making a contribution to the worship of Almighty God. My case for so much of modern church music is that it exists to satisfy and delight those who sing it. It does little in terms of reverence, enhancing spirituality or increasing one's inner fervour - I am sure it does a great deal for one's outer fervour but that is not what is required at Holy Mass.
The hymn featured in this post is a golden oldie, the words by Sister Mary Xavier and the composition by R.R. Terry and dating, I believe, from c. 1880.
The sentiments are so appropriate in today's world of high speed and profound worries concerning future problems, health, career, one's children, blogging (?).
If I said that, as a very small child, my mother used to sit on my bed and sing this to me after night prayers, would that bring a tear to your eyes? No? You have a heart of stone!
It is a hymn that all mothers especially, should know by heart.
Here it is:
Posted by Richard Collins - Linen on the Hedgerow
