Why do some people hate "Here I am Lord" so much?

[Autumnleaf]

Its my favorite church hymn. I noticed many people don't like it at all. Some even say bad things about it. Since music is a matter of personal preference, why is there so much animosity toward this song by some?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zAT3UkRedU

 

[AMDG]

The song. I don't know about you, but I sure would hesitate pretending to be someone else.

 

[Autumnleaf]

The song. I don't know about you, but I sure would hesitate pretending to be someone else.

What do you mean? As far as I know this is an old school Catholic hymn that I recall from childhood when we attended mass religiously.

 

[MikeK]

I don't hate that song.

I think AMDG is protesting the "I the Lord, of sea and sky..." and so on.

 

[billvelek]

Some years back when I attended Mass, that hymn was played quite frequently, and I never heard a single person complain about it. In fact, I can't recall anyone every complaining about ANY hymn. I can't see any reason to complain. Who are those people who have complained?

Your brother in Christ,

Bill Velek

 

[Gwendolyn]

Some years back when I attended Mass, that hymn was played quite frequently, and I never heard a single person complain about it. In fact, I can't recall anyone every complaining about ANY hymn. I can't see any reason to complain. Who are those people who have complained?

Your brother in Christ,

Bill Velek

I have some online acquaintances who consider themselves very traditional. They have spoken about hating it because it sounds too "hippie".

I think that when it comes to music, there is a certain character of dignity that comes through in some styles more than others. The Church has praised gregorian chant as having a place of honour when it comes to hymns, for example. I personally love older hymns that don't require much musical accompaniment. Eastern Christian chant is a great example.

But "Here I am, Lord" is a hymn that really spoke to me as a child attending a Catholic school. It was played frequently at our school Masses. It holds a special place in my heart.

 

[AMDG]

"Old school?" Sorry am old enough to figure "old school" as before Vatican II and I assure you that THAT tune wasn't liturgical. Now what I mean. The words are not our words. The words are "Samuel's"

But as for it being a pretty tune, yes it is.

I remember a long time ago an article about how non-liturgical some songs are or how they actually speak of non-Catholic things or that they were written for some other purpose. Can't remember now where the article could be. Maybe Adoremus (Adoremus Bulletin) Haven't looked lately.

 

[Autumnleaf]

Some years back when I attended Mass, that hymn was played quite frequently, and I never heard a single person complain about it. In fact, I can't recall anyone every complaining about ANY hymn. I can't see any reason to complain. Who are those people who have complained?

Your brother in Christ,

Bill Velek

I was looking for it on youtube and most of the ones I found had some hateful comments at the bottom.

 

[billvelek]

The song. I don't know about you, but I sure would hesitate pretending to be someone else.

Do you mean that someone thinks we are somehow presuming to be GOD just because we are singing the words of God in the 1st, 3rd, and 5th stanzas (if I am saying that correctly)? ... and then we sing on behalf of ourselves in the refrain (2nd, 4th, and 6th stanzas)?? How is that any different from reading scripture aloud, and coming to the words of God -- either our Father or Jesus? Don't they proceed to speak those words on behalf of our Lord? That's all people are doing in this song in the 1st, 3rd, and 5th stanzas; they are not saying that THEY are "the Lord of sea and sky", or that THEY are "the Lord of snow and rain", or that THEY are "the Lord of wind and flame" -- they are merely imagining that God is speaking those words about HIMSELF before He ends each of those stanzas with the same question: "Whom shall I send?". And each time, the answer of those singing is that they are answering His call, and that they will go wherever He leads them. It is a most beautiful song -- in fact it just brought tears to my eyes again as I listened to it -- and anyone who dislikes it because they think it involves the praising of oneself -- well, they need to learn how to read and understand English. Or do they perhaps think that God Himself should provide His own voice for such things?? As I said in my other post, I've never heard ANYONE ever complain about any hymns in church; but the next time it happens, maybe you should politely ask them why, and then then explain to them what I just said.

P.S. added @AutumnLeaf: I'm sorry that I misunderstood; YouTube is different than church, of course, because it will include a few cranky protestants who are likely to find fault and criticize anything Catholic, along with atheists, agnostics, and other non-Christians.

Here are the complete lyrics:

GOD's lines:

I, the Lord of sea and sky,
I have heard My people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin,
My hand will save.
I who made the stars of night,
I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear My light to them?
Whom shall I send?​

Our lines:

Here I am Lord, Is it I, Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go Lord, if You lead me.
I will hold Your people in my heart.​

GOD's lines:

I, the Lord of snow and rain,
I have borne my people's pain.
I have wept for love of them,
They turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone,
Give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak My word to them
Whom shall I send?​

Our lines:

Here I am Lord, Is it I, Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go Lord, if You lead me.
I will hold Your people in my heart.​

GOD's lines:

I, the Lord of wind and flame
I will tend the poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them,
My hand will save
Finest bread I will provide,
Till their hearts be satisfied.
I will give My life to them,
Whom shall I send?​

Our lines:

Here I am Lord, Is it I, Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go Lord, if You lead me.
I will hold Your people in my heart.​

Your brother in Christ,

Bill Velek

 

[Michie]

Its my favorite church hymn. I noticed many people don't like it at all. Some even say bad things about it. Since music is a matter of personal preference, why is there so much animosity toward this song by some?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zAT3UkRedU

That's one I have always liked.

 

[pdudgeon]

Do you mean that someone thinks we are somehow presuming to be GOD just because we are singing the words of God in the 1st, 3rd, and 5th stanzas (if I am saying that correctly)? ... and then we sing on behalf of ourselves in the refrain (2nd, 4th, and 6th stanzas)?? How is that any different from reading scripture aloud, and coming to the words of God -- either our Father or Jesus? Don't they proceed to speak those words on behalf of our Lord? That's all people are doing in this song in the 1st, 3rd, and 5th stanzas; they are not saying that THEY are "the Lord of sea and sky", or that THEY are "the Lord of snow and rain", or that THEY are "the Lord of wind and flame" -- they are merely imagining that God is speaking those words about HIMSELF before He ends each of those stanzas with the same question: "Whom shall I send?". And each time, the answer of those singing is that they are answering His call, and that they will go wherever He leads them. It is a most beautiful song -- in fact it just brought tears to my eyes again as I listened to it -- and anyone who dislikes it because they think it involves the praising of oneself -- well, they need to learn how to read and understand English. Or do they perhaps think that God Himself should provide His own voice for such things?? As I said in my other post, I've never heard ANYONE ever complain about any hymns in church; but the next time it happens, maybe you should politely ask them why, and then then explain to them what I just said.

P.S. added @AutumnLeaf: I'm sorry that I misunderstood; YouTube is different than church, of course, because it will include a few cranky protestants who are likely to find fault and criticize anything Catholic, along with atheists, agnostics, and other non-Christians.

Here are the complete lyrics:

GOD's lines:

I, the Lord of sea and sky,
I have heard My people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin,
My hand will save.
I who made the stars of night,
I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear My light to them?
Whom shall I send?​

Our lines:

Here I am Lord, Is it I, Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go Lord, if You lead me.
I will hold Your people in my heart.​

GOD's lines:

I, the Lord of snow and rain,
I have borne my people's pain.
I have wept for love of them,
They turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone,
Give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak My word to them
Whom shall I send?​

Our lines:

Here I am Lord, Is it I, Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go Lord, if You lead me.
I will hold Your people in my heart.​

GOD's lines:

I, the Lord of wind and flame
I will tend the poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them,
My hand will save
Finest bread I will provide,
Till their hearts be satisfied.
I will give My life to them,
Whom shall I send?​

Our lines:

Here I am Lord, Is it I, Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go Lord, if You lead me.
I will hold Your people in my heart.​

Your brother in Christ,

Bill Velek

Thanks Bill. I remember when the 'new' Methodist hymnals came out and that one was included. I thought it was beautiful.

As Bill has said, the part that is God's voice can be seen as God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit speaking together of what they have done and felt for men.

Our lines (the chorus) is our servant hearts responding to God; giving our lives and our whole selves into His care, and being willing to care for others as He does for us.

It is a modern hymn set in 3/4 time (and maybe that's why folks don't like it) but the ideas that the words express are as ancient as the OT.

 

[eastcoast_bsc]

I have always liked this hymn. It was played often during Charismatic services.

 

[Martinius]

This is a post Vatican II hymn, which to many people makes it suspect. Another issue for some may be that it is not a hymn of adoration, or one that asks God to intervene on our behalf. Instead, it is about God looking to us, each of us personally, to say "here I am, Lord, I will go where you lead me". Most people who claim to be Christian, including most Catholics I know, do not really want to answer God's call. It is much easier to avoid involvement in all that the Gospel calls us to do, and to wait for God to make things right at the end of time. But Jesus, like God does with Isaiah, Samuel and others in the OT, insists that WE must act if we are to be his disciples, to be a true child of God.

We don't like singing it because we don't really want to do what we are submitting to when we sing the words of the hymn. Like being caught in a lie.

 

[LivingWordUnity]

We don't like singing it because we don't really want to do what we are submitting to when we sing the words of the hymn. Like being caught in a lie.

There is no way you could know that. Only God can judge people's hearts. The most likely reason is that some people are unsure whether they should be singing the part of God in the song. That's what AMDG said made her have reservations about the song. That's not anything like what you speculated. In fact, it's the opposite since this is wanting to please the Lord. AMDG did say that the song was a pretty song otherwise. And so far in this thread at least 5 who lean more or less to the conservative side (Billvelek, Gwendolyn, Michie, Pdudgeon, Eastcoast_bsc) have said that they like the song. Now with this post make it 6.

 

[topcare]

Its my favorite church hymn. I noticed many people don't like it at all. Some even say bad things about it. Since music is a matter of personal preference, why is there so much animosity toward this song by some?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zAT3UkRedU

I liked when I was Catholic and now when I am not

 

[pdudgeon]

Its my favorite church hymn. I noticed many people don't like it at all. Some even say bad things about it. Since music is a matter of personal preference, why is there so much animosity toward this song by some?

bottom line is probably because it calls for being like Peter and "flinging a leg over the side of the boat" so to speak. It's one thing to be willing to get in the boat along with all the rest.

but volunteering... stepping out from the safety of the crowd... saying "Here I am, Lord", "Is it I Lord?", even daring to acknowledge that "I have heard You calling in the night."

Those are words of action...words of self accusation.. even words of admission.
And those words can propel a person right up there into the forefront of the action and commitment gang; right into the cross hairs of active, committed Christian service.

Those are the words worth trembling over when a person sings them.

 

[Fish and Bread]

Its my favorite church hymn. I noticed many people don't like it at all. Some even say bad things about it. Since music is a matter of personal preference, why is there so much animosity toward this song by some?

I think for some people those type of hymns became symbolic of a theological division that didn't truly relate much to the music itself. For some reason, in some Roman Catholic circles, Latin chant and more traditional sounding English hymns became somehow associated with a conservative theological perspective, whereas some of the new songs and the use of instruments like guitars and whatnot became associated with more liberal or progressive theological perspectives.

Obviously, that's not a formal association that's made or something that's always true (As you can see here in this very thread! Plenty of people who's theology doesn't match their musical or liturgical tastes), it's just something that crops up fairly often. I'm not sure people even realize they are doing it.

It often seems obvious to members of the Church because they've sort of lived those differences of perspective and all the things that have become associated with it, and it's often unspoken what the argument really is, but it can seem weird to people on the outside of things, because it's not something that's duplicated in the same way elsewhere.

An example of how it is not always duplicated in that way elsewhere is that many Episcopalian (the US branch of the Anglican Communion, not Roman Catholic) parishes are both very liberal and have very traditional liturgies and music. Sometimes in that communion you'll have a lesbian priest with very progressive views in a very ornate church that's hundreds of years old doing a service with a pipe organ, sanctus bells, billowing clouds of incense, altar rails to kneel to receive communion on, an ad orientum altar (Facing east towards the resurrection and God in the same direction as the people rather than toward the congregation), etc..

Another opposite example is there are some very conservative evangelical Baptist churches and the like that feature a preacher wearing a suit coat in a very contemporary room with a rock band playing and a projector screen behind him playing videos and slideshows.

This sort of association of theological views with a type of liturgical and musical preference in worship is a very Roman thing. It's sort of unspoken that many of the conservatives dislike the modern music and less formal liturgies and many of the liberals dislike the old music and ornate ancient liturgies. But this, of course, is not universally true among Roman Catholics even.

By the way, if you like "Here I am Lord", you may want to consider buying yourself a Dan Schutte CD. He wrote the song and has a lot of other contemporary hymns.

Here's another one:

THOUGH THE MOUNTAINS MAY FALL by Dan Schutte - Saint Louis Jesuits: with lyrics - YouTube

 

[Martinius]

There is no way you could know that. Only God can judge people's hearts. The most likely reason is that some people are unsure whether they should be singing the part of God in the song. That's what AMDG said made her have reservations about the song. That's not anything like what you speculated. In fact, it's the opposite since this is wanting to please the Lord. AMDG did say that the song was a pretty song otherwise. And so far in this thread at least 5 who lean more or less to the conservative side (Billvelek, Gwendolyn, Michie, Pdudgeon, Eastcoast_bsc) have said that they like the song. Now with this post make it 6.

You are correct about the posts. I skimmed through the posts after the OP and did not know which way the posters leaned on the Catholic spectrum. I am glad so many conservatives like the hymn as I do.

There are those who do not like any hymns composed after Vatican II. They are quite different from Catholic hymns before that time. Many of the "modern" hymns focus on discipleship and following the Gospel. That appeared to me to be one of the reasons for the negative reactions, that the content of the songs call for a response different from earlier and more traditional hymns. That and the more contemporary musical style turns off some.

 

[billvelek]

While we're on the subject of singing pre-Vatican II hymns in church, I didn't have much of an opportunity to do so as a kid. I went to St. Anne's Catholic School in Philadelphia, taught by the Sisters of St. Joseph. From 1st through 8th grade, it was mandatory for all students to attend the children's Mass, with all the girls on one side and all the boys on the other, but in sections assigned by classroom. Hymnals were distributed only on the girls' side, and every so often during class-time in school the girls were taken out of class over to the church to practice singing. I was always so jealous. I guess the sisters thought the girls had nicer voices than the boys; their loss, having never heard me. So I never got to sing for most of my childhood, although in the summer kids could go to any Mass with their parents. Still, I can't remember a lot of singing. I do remember once a month there was a special Mass for men, and the cub scouts were allowed to go to it -- and it seemed like they always (or most of the time) sang: "O Sacrament Most Holy". Anyway, that's one of my memories as a kid.

Your brother in Christ,

Bill Velek

 

[Fantine]

I think that most traditionalists dislike contemporary hymns because, as Bill said, portions of them "quote God's own voice." They feel, perhaps, that hymns should be our prayers to God--not musical renditions of God's words to us.

I think prayer is a two-way street--we speak, God listens. God speaks, we listen. In that context, "Here I Am Lord" uses both expressive Biblical prayer (Isaiah 6:8) and receptive prayer.

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"

I love the direct Biblical lyrics in contemporary hymns rather than the strings of rhyming adjectives in SATB hymns.

I loved seeing Dan Schutte's presentation at the National Pastoral Musicians Conference last July, one of many beautiful experiences I had there.

One of the songs we sang together was one I'd never heard before. I think you will like it. As in "Here I Am, Lord" the verses intersperse expressive and receptive prayer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0KOUwI5-1U#t=26