We’ve got a new podcast episode up today - on Lilies of the Field and The Shawshank Redemption.
It’s really not a long jump from that to this joint…
Because…didn’t you sing the “Lilies of the Field Amen?” At Mass?
Maybe you didn’t just sing it as part of the congregation…maybe you even led it…on your guitar…at the Catholic high school Mass.
Maybe?
It wasn’t just me?
I can’t find a great deal on the history of this piece. I’m sure it goes back a ways, but it seems to have found its first voice in popular cultural via this recording.
(This is a stronger recording, but it can’t be played here.)
I find the stately affect quite appealing. It’s dignified.
Does anyone use this in Catholic Masses anymore? I’m just curious.
Anyway, to keep this from being (only) a crass cross-promotion, let’s talk.
What other popular songs made their way into your post-Vatican II Masses?
Some, of course, were less explicitly religious than others. And I’m talking Mass here - not prayer service or reconciliation service because, as I’ve written before, if you grew up Catholic in the 70’s, I’ll be you money that You’ve Got a Friend and Bridge over Troubled Waters and maybe even the prototypical “This-could-be-about-human-love-but-let’s-make-it-Jesus song,” Longer were on your music leader’s set list.
My memories of notable pop chart/Mass crossovers from the period:
Blowin’ in the Wind
Morning has Broken (A legit spiritual piece with a known Gaelic melody, but not in wide use, especially in Catholic churches until Cat Stevens recorded it.”
Hosanna from JC Superstar
Sister Janet Mead’s “Our Father” - also a massive hit on the charts, too.
Same with Kumbaya.
But then there’s Why Me, Lord. And Let it Be. And My Sweet Lord. Turn, Turn, Turn. I heard all of those at Mass - and not just high school or college Masses, either - during the time.
And you?
Prepare Ye (The Way of the Lord), from Godspell
This was used at my parish for a year or two during Lent sometime during the 90s. I don't remember the precise part of Mass, but I think it was used in place of the verse before the Gospel. The cantor would start an unaccompanied solo while standing over on the right side, below the steps up to the sanctuary. They would then walk across the front of the sanctuary while singing, arriving at the ambo and microphone on the left side. Then the accompaniment would kick in as the choir and congregation joined the singing.
Never having seen Godspell, I didn't know until years later that it was the source for the tune.
I was born in 1963 in southern Illinois…. This is bringing back so many memories. In our small catholic school (diaspora) we sang almost all the same songs you have mentioned. And I bet if someone started playing the songs I could still sing every single word by heart. I was given a guitar by Sister Barbara, and played at daily Mass in the 4th and 5th grade. One song you haven’t mentioned is „Put your hand in the hand of the man who stilled the water…“
But we still had daily Mass!
I remember Sr. Cheryl coming to school one day without the veil… I was probably in the 3rd or 4th grade. Sr Barbara continued to wear hers. I loved Sr Barbara! She was like a loving aunt to us besides being a great teacher. We did a lot of plays in our little school. It was a great way to learn!
I have so many memories