Text and music: Clara W. McMaster, 1904-1997 (c) 1958 IRI
D@mn you Clara!
1. Teach me to walk in the light of his love; Teach me to pray to my Father above; Teach me to know of the things that are right; Teach me, teach me to walk in the light. 2. Come, little child, and together we'll learn Of his commandments, that we may return Home to his presence, to live in his sight-- Always, always to walk in the light. 3. Father in Heaven, we thank thee this day For loving guidance to show us the way. Grateful, we praise thee with songs of delight! Gladly, gladly we'll walk in the light.
its been years since I attended, but every so often I find myself singing some idiotic hymn to myself. It could be triggered by the fact that we pass the building every day.
I love How Great thou art and a poor wayfaring man of grief, but I no longer consider those Momo hymns.
I love the music of praise to the man and when I hear the bagpipes play the scottish tune, I think of the momo words because that is all I know that goes with the music.
"A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief" was a favorite hymn of Joseph Smith, founder of the Latter Day Saint movement. The hymn was introduced in the church by apostle John Taylor, who learned the hymn in 1840 as a missionary in England."
Funny. That's the only one that came to my mind too.
For some reason, Mormons love that song but sure don't take the words to heart. They sing it on Sunday and then promote their hateful agenda on the poor and suffering the rest of the week.
But it reminds me of what Jesus, if he was a literal person, was all about.
Praise to the Man. I don't know what it is but that song brings back with such intensity Joseph Smith's great sacrifice for all of us and brings me to tears--crocodile tears,caused by extreme laughter. :)
Sorry, but nothing at all about the church brings a tear to my eye. Those treacly sweet songs are a control tactic. It's all a control tactic.
God I hate those songs. All of them! Here are a couple I've learned to like from friends who do a lot of old timey gospel:
Jesus Holds My Hand My Heavenly Father's Home Wayfaring Stranger (not to be confused with the maudlin, sappy Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief) Leaning on the Everlasting Arms Keep on the Sunny Side
Yes, I loved singing the hymns and related churchy songs. I sang in the choir and miss it so much! The music was a connector to spirituality for me. Yep, "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" is a favorite.
On the other hand, there is lots of music yet to be discovered. There were songs at the UU church and Lutheran church that I loved when I visited. A couple of the Lutheran songs had different words to familiar LDS tunes. I sang right along with those Protestants. I'd love to learn some Gospel songs.
When I first started having serious doubts, wisps of Primary songs would float in and out of my mind. The song "A Child's Prayer" came often and I would weep. "Heavenly Father, are you really there? And do you hear and answer every child's prayer? Some say that heaven is far away, but I feel it close around me as I pray."
After all these years, the songs that made my former TBM heart swell will always be memorable (though some don't originate in mormonism, I think):
Love one another I know that my redeemer lives God be with you till we meet again A poor wayfaring man of grief How great thou art Come, come ye saints I need thee every hour Come, follow me
I've always loved singing since I was a kid and sang these with great feeling along with my mother, as well as being asked to sing solos on occasion.
I've since found many other ways to enjoy singing on my own and in various volunteer amateur choirs.
I love many of the tunes, but now the words drive me nuts, including "I am a child of god." So I still hum the tunes sometimes, since they remind me of the love of God, and sometimes I make up my own words.
I still love so many songs from primary and church hymns. I still love the family and friends who are Mormon. I regret the gulf between me and my TBM son that is unspoken but there nonetheless. I know it is not the truth. I have to just keep it bottled or I would lose my grandchildren. When they question, I will be their champion. They know I am no longer a Mormon. I miss the surety and safety of being part of something that I thought was eternal truth and loving fellowship. Now, I navigate alone and do revel in the immensity of the freedom of thought and action. And, yet, sometimes I sing my heart out and wish for that union so familiar, and so long lost.
When I am visiting in their ward on occasion, to be with them for a special event, to just support them in their endeavors, they are surprised that I know all the words from a life long. I feel a lump in my throat, because it still hurts. Maybe they think I betrayed them, but they do not yet know it was I who was betrayed.
In my supple mind, I bypass the scam and and heartache, and sing. I sing a song of self. Of love. Of waiting for a time when all will be known. Yes, I still believe that I have an unquenchable soul, full of questions, and I cannot imagine that this poor life is all there is. So, I sing.
"Pioneer Children Screamed As They Walked" "Anti-Mormon Stories That the Ex-Mos Told To Me"
I remember on special occasions us Primary kids singing during Sacrament Meeting. It took all I had to keep a "happy face" on Mother's Day while singing "Mother Dear(est) I Love You So".