I love the Hymns of the Church [1] [1.1]
I enjoy singing [2], playing them on the Piano and Guitar [3] and occasionally will give them a go in a Choir [4].
I happened to be looking in my bookcase the other day and found a book entitled, “Our Latter-Day Hymns: The Stories and the Messages” by Karen Lynn Davidson. My mother had given me this book for a present many years ago. It lists every Hymn in the book and outlines some of its history, background and its author.
I quite like this book. It seems that, for the most part, singing in the Church is done automatically, with little to no thought about the words, message or intent. Music to me has many similarities to drugs. You take a drug and its action is independent of your thought and desire. The drug will just work and bypass your conscious mind and (depending on the drug type) just start on your central nervous system. When I hear music, I feel like I have taken a drug. It affects me to the core and does so immediately. I am calmed, spiritually uplifted, disgusted or ready to go for a run – all depending on the style of music I am listening to.
In reading this book, there are a few of the Hymns that have something interesting about them. I would like to write a few posts on these Hymns.
The first one is Hymn 27 – Praise to the Man.
The text to this song was written by William W Phelps (1792-1872) shorty following the death of Joseph Smith. It originally appeared (anonymously) in Times and Seasons on 1 August 1844.
As you can see above, the original words in the second verse read, “Long shall his blood, which was shed by assassins / Stain Illinois, while the earth lauds his fame”. Now obviously reads, “Pleads unto heav’n, while the earth lauds his fame”. This was changed in the 1927 Hymn book [5].
Phelps led a very interesting life in the church – details for those who are not familiar with him can be found on Wikipedia (not a bad (short) summary of his life).
The words have been thought to be sung to three tunes over time. 1 Star in the East (as above). 2. Hail to the Chief and 3. The current tune entitled Martyr which is a version of Scotland the Brave. See below for You Tube video of a piper playing this tune.
As far as I can tell, this is one of only a few Hymns that are entirely about someone specific (as opposed to something like faith or missionary work or someone in general like “a” prophet) other than the members of the Godhead [6].
This hymn has recently attracted some negative attention as certain aspects of Joseph Smiths life have come to prominence – aspects of polygamy have been principle amongst these. Others just have issue with singing “praise” to a man – prophet…[7] yes, usher of the final dispensation…yes [8] – but – fallible and like you and me.
Here is a video of the 166th Annual General Conference with the Choir and Congregation singing Praise to the Man. I found this quite interesting for a few reasons:
- A LOT of old faces (1996)
- It was in the Tabernacle
- Pres Hinckley looking at the Choir
- A couple of GA’s having a chat
- Lots of people not knowing the words
- Bad hair and clothes!!
Questions:
- What are your thoughts on this Hymn – do you like it?
- Is it contradictory for us to say “We don’t worship Joseph Smith”, but then sing praises to him?
- Should the bagpipes get a start in Sacrament meeting?
[1] Caveats are – 1. Should be more of them, 2. Should have more from other religions (such as Amazing Grace), 3. Should have some that are more upbeat and 4. Can’t wait for a more liberal policy regarding instruments and styles of music in Sacrament Meetings
[1.1] I think I may be on my own, if last weeks post by Hawkgrrrl is the yardstick!!!
[2] Enjoyment does NOT equal talent
[3] Enjoyment does NOT equal talent
[4] Enjoyment does NOT equal talent but at least you’re not the only one up on the stand
[5] I’m sure the Mid Western State appreciates the lack of reference to assassins and blood
[6] Joseph Smiths First Prayer
[7] Or insert your own answer here
[8] Or insert your own answer here
Wheat & Tares 
If #27 goes because of uncomfortable theological implications, Section 135 will have to go with it. The concept that “Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord has done more–save Jesus only–for the salvation of men in this world” is not mere opinion. It’s canonized scripture.
I’m one of the people who has decided to no longer sing this song – and I think it has more to do with not worshiping a man/prophet and only singing praises to my Savior/God.
I don’t think we can say with clear conscience we don’t worship Joseph Smith and still have this song in our canon.
Although I fully approve of more bagpipe accompanied hymns
TOC – Good point. It’s an interesting Section (135), as it was just the announcement that JS and HS had died. No vision, no revelation…
KA – I had recalled that you mentioned this before!! Bring on the pipes!!
I’ve also been uncomfortable at times with the text of the hymn, but as I read other writings from the same time period (ahem, Section 135), there does seem to be a common thread. Even testimonies of my own ancestors who knew the prophet have been along the same vein. The only thing I can come up with is the missionary effect. In the Book of Mormon the people of Ammon looked up to Ammon as semi-deity. Ammon may not have intended it, but those ex-Lamanites really viewed him as saving them from the depths of hell. You could argue that the Jews looked at Moses in a similar way. As long as I keep thinking about the deep gratitude those early churchmembers felt for Joseph (as opposed to outright worship), I can swallow the text of the hymn.
Bring on the pipers!!!
I vote to keep it. I wish we sang more songs praising saints through the ages, starting with magnificats and ave marias.
In the primary hymnal we have the following songs praising mere people:
1) Christmas songs about Mary and Joseph
2) He’s our bishop!
3) Nephi’s Courage
4) Modern day prophets (singing their names in order)
5) Follow the prophet (verses about various prophets)
6) The songs about mothers and fathers, grandparents
7) Pioneer praise songs
In the current green Hymnal, you have the following:
1) Sons of Michael (“Rise the ancient father greet, bow ye thousands low before him”)
2) All the songs praising angels (Angels we have heard on high, See the mighty angel flying, many Christmas carols, etc.)
3) All the prophet songs (We ever pray for thee, our prophet dear, come listen to a prophet’s voice, we thank thee o god for a prophet, etc.)
Why are we throwing darts specifically at Joseph?
You all are not suggesting a surgical removal of #27. If you object to all hymns praising anyone but God, you’re going to need to take an ax to our musical cannon. Don’t go there.
I am glad the words were changed…didn’t really take until 1927 to change them?
It sounds like part of the blood oath many used to covenant to, and isn’t an uplifting thing to include in a hymn, especially an upbeat hymn like this (picture smiles and families happily singing to the blood stains in Illinois. Wha?)
But…it’s one of the more upbeat songs…we should keep it. I have no problem praising a prophet, Joseph, Gordon, or Thomas S. I’m good with that. It’s not worshipping to praise someone we respect.
Those aren’t hymns in the picture of Joseph, they are Joseph Smith’s papers, for his project.
It wasy deceased father’s favorite hymn.
So, one thing that I did not know about this hymn until a few years ago was that, as you pointed out, the current melody/tune of the hymn is different than the older versions.
Our current version is more triumphant/joyful (even if the way that most LDS wards sing any hymn may often be hardly “joyful)…whereas the original version was more funereal. And given the history, it makes sense…people were really lamenting that Joseph Smith had gotten killed. In this spirit, the original lyrics make sense too — these are people who are grieving, and so cursing his killers.
1927 . .
I can’t find it, but there was some sort of curse or belief that the state/people involved in Joseph’s death would be under condemnation for 4 generations, thus the removal of the state curse in 1927. I don’t have the evidence, but there may have been a dusting off of feet, and many areas where saints were expelled were abandoned by church members and later re-dedicated for missionary work when the church later returned to those areas.
Andrew S wrote: “Our current version is more triumphant/joyful (even if the way that most LDS wards sing any hymn may often be hardly “joyful”. Be afraid, Andrew, be very, VERY afraid…we AGREE virtually in lockstep. Most LDS wards play hymms like LDCR Tom Dodge directed PO2 Lovacelli…(keep in mind 9/19 is “Talk like a Pirate” day) in “Down Periscope”…”Play me a DIRGE, matey!” Or, if the lights go out while singing, we can be like in Don McLean’s “American Pie”…e.g., “We sang dirges in the dark” (the day…the music…died).
In the current green Hymnal, you have the following:
1) Sons of Michael (“Rise the ancient father greet, bow ye thousands low before him”)
2) All the songs praising angels (Angels we have heard on high, See the mighty angel flying, many Christmas carols, etc.)
3) All the prophet songs (We ever pray for thee, our prophet dear, come listen to a prophet’s voice, we thank thee o god for a prophet, etc.)
Why are we throwing darts specifically at Joseph?
My dad just pointed out to me that in All Creatures of Our God and King we have a verse addressed to:
“Dear Mother Earth”
Love it.
With the phrase “Jesus anointed that prophet and seer” it is not unlike the meaning of “We Thank Thee O God for a prophet. Yes we are singing about a prophet, but we are acknowledging that a prophet is called of God.
It is one of the hymns that generates more rousing singing than others, and as I recently posted on Jana Ries’ hymn blog, I am among the millions who want to know ‘Brother Joseph’.
Honestly, I think a lot of the hating on this hymn is cultural disconnect. We don’t talk this way anymore, probably for good reason, but it is kind of an interesting trip down memory lane. I really don’t think we would sing “Praise to [insert contemporary prophet] who communed with Jehovah!” It’s a little unsavory. Maybe that’s part of what’s meant by “a prophet is not without honor, except in his own country.” We see the human being. But when someone is dead, part of our respect for the dead is to forget the flaws and extol the virtues.
The real issue is that some have lauded his fame so much that it leaves the rest skeptical or not wanting to look culty.
I am of the mind that #27 should go along with a few others as well. Church culture resonates with leadership worship almost to the point of deifying them. We see it with pictures of church leaders proudly displayed in our homes.We have teaching manuals that have their pictures instead of the Savior. We have people adoring them and saying how much they love them even though,they have never met any G.A. or been invited to family home evening at the home of a general authority. This song continues that tradition and as such it should go!