Of Kingdom Melodies

[kengirl]

I absolutely love the Kingdom melodies, but is it just me or isn't there enough fire and zeal in the way they're sang at the hall? Honestly, I really wish people would sing with more life and conviction. Sometimes in my hall it's almost like we're being forced to sing. :icon_neutral:

[Deborah]

I am painfully forced to sing. And then reprimanded through WT material on why I should appreciate it. When a person is teased by siblings as a youth, the stigma can stay a long time. My daughters siblings do the same to her. I get very upset with them.
Also, that one instrument hits my head wrong. It starts with an L, I think.
I sing the songs in my head, according to mood or life event. It sounds much nicer there.

With Love, Deborah

[TheCook]

I think it's a cultural thing. It seems to me that Western culture teaches people to be self-aware and not stick out to much. Never make a fool out of yourself! Better play it safe and try to blend in. That might prohibit people from really getting into the songs and singing them with all their hearts.

In my experience, in some cultures and in congregations where people come from mixed origins, there is much louder and more vivid singing. I remember listening to a tape made by a congregation in Africa, where they even sang in chorus - very beautiful.

I have also noticed that if I myself make an effort to really sing the songs, people seem to catch on and get into it more. It might be because they want to shut out my hideous voice with their own, I don't know.

[shikinah]

I think it's a cultural thing. It seems to me that Western culture teaches people to be self-aware and not stick out to much. Never make a fool out of yourself! Better play it safe and try to blend in. That might prohibit people from really getting into the songs and singing them with all their hearts.

In my experience, in some cultures and in congregations where people come from mixed origins, there is much louder and more vivid singing. I remember listening to a tape made by a congregation in Africa, where they even sang in chorus - very beautiful.

I have also noticed that if I myself make an effort to really sing the songs, people seem to catch on and get into it more. It might be because they want to shut out my hideous voice with their own, I don't know.[/b]

My sister has a tape of the kingdom melodies, and the musics played on the steel drums..it sounded so happy and uplifting, not sure if its played in the congregations in trinidad? be interesting to know though.

Sisterly Love.
Elizabeth x

[Berean]

I'm not really fond of most of the melodies at all. Half of them are not really suitable for singing, and most contain text that doesn't have anything to do with psalms (like how we look up to the slave, and leaving magazines behind, what kind of a prayer is that?). I'd much rather sing a real Psalm, set to the music of a great composer.

Oh, I should say that there's one exception to my dislike: the marches. They really make me feel like I'm a soldier in Christ's army, even though I'm scared to sing loudly, because nobody else does it (and that's perhaps for the best, since most of the brothers and sisters aren't the best singers...).

[Gabriel]

There are more than a few melodies that I really enjoy...if not all. especially songs that are dedicated to Father and his son. sence I am not able to particapte in any of the meeting arrangements to make my love for Father known to others,The songs are the only small window of oppertunity that I have. so I've taken more of a liking to them.

[Elatjewel]

There are more than a few melodies that I really enjoy...if not all. especially songs that are dedicated to Father and his son. sence I am not able to particapte in any of the meeting arrangements to make my love for Father known to others,The songs are the only small window of oppertunity that I have. so I've taken more of a liking to them.[/b]


King David made melody to Jehovah is the fields while watching the sheep Gabriel. He was on his own and then hunted for some time.....So his music was very important to him and now we have them written down for everyone who is lonesome and distressed in the psalms.

Psalm 23: Jehovah you are my shepherd. This one is still my favourite!

[James]

This has always been my daughter's favorite. I'm particularly fond of it too.
A song of hope, a glimpse of realities not yet beheld. Jehovah's promise to his sheep.

================================================== =============

<div align="center">Song 222

Keep Your Eyes on the Prize!

(2 Corinthians 4:18)

1. When eyes of blind ones see again

And ears of deaf ones hear again,

When deserts blossom as the rose

And from parched ground fresh water flows,

When lame ones leap just like the hart,

When loved ones never have to part

—Such blessed times you&#39;ll realize

If you keep your eyes on the prize.

2. When tongues of mute ones speak again,

When old ones will be young again,

When earth will yield her rich increase

And all good things will never cease,

When songs of children fill the air,

When joy and peace are ev&#39;rywhere,

Then, too, you&#39;ll see the dead arise

If you keep your eyes on the prize.

3. When wolves and lambs will feed as one,

When bears and calves bask in the sun,

A mere young boy will lead them all,

And they will heed his childish call.

When tears belong to yesterday,

When fears and pain have passed away,

You&#39;ll see how God these things supplies

If you keep your eyes on the prize.


WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY
OF PENNSYLVANIA
All Rights Reserved


Glory to our Father,
James
</div>

[Elatjewel]

:Love: That&#39;s just lovely :40:

[Molly]

Kengirl-

Just thought I would mention that I have always loved to sing the Kingdom Songs. Some congregations that I was associated with over my years would sing out loud and strong and a couple others where there was little enthusiasm. Perhaps you are in a KH that has only a small amount of enthusiasm.

As a youth I was in the choir of our Lutheran church, so I loved to sing. As a result, when, used as I am to singing out, I would visit a congregation that did not sing out, it would take my breath away. It was amazing how it just takes the wind out of one&#39;s sails to be singing in a community where it appeared that they were almost pained to express themselves in song. It used to be said that a congregation that did not enthusiastically sing had a problem. Frankly, there were only two that I encountered that fit this description, but they truly amazed me.

Now there are some wordings that I have a coflict with, some have an agenda, but for the most part I do enjoy the Kingdom Songs. As does Berean, I do love the marches.

Molly

[kengirl]

Kengirl-

Just thought I would mention that I have always loved to sing the Kingdom Songs. Some congregations that I was associated with over my years would sing out loud and strong and a couple others where there was little enthusiasm. Perhaps you are in a KH that has only a small amount of enthusiasm.

As a youth I was in the choir of our Lutheran church, so I loved to sing. As a result, when, used as I am to singing out, I would visit a congregation that did not sing out, it would take my breath away. It was amazing how it just takes the wind out of one&#39;s sails to be singing in a community where it appeared that they were almost pained to express themselves in song. It used to be said that a congregation that did not enthusiastically sing had a problem. Frankly, there were only two that I encountered that fit this description, but they truly amazed me.

Now there are some wordings that I have a coflict with, some have an agenda, but for the most part I do enjoy the Kingdom Songs. As does Berean, I do love the marches.

Molly[/b]


I agree with you. It&#39;s always so wonderful when people sing with enthusiasm. I only wish we sang more during the meetings instead of singing just 3 songs. Like I wish we had a session of about 5 songs before the meeting, kind of like a praise session. And it would be great if we could use the music that has many accompaniments instead of just the piano, cuz I feel like its more "rich", so to speak, and I think the brothers would be able to get into it a little more. I know this is going to sound weird when I say this, but Christendom actually sings with more enthusiasm than we do at the Kingdom Hall (at least at 3 of the halls that i&#39;ve been in), which is sad, because we&#39;re the ones with the truth worshiping the true God. I think the wording may have something to do with the enthusiasm too.
Whenever I think of the songs that the psalmist and others in the Bible wrote, they were mostly in praise of Jehovah. Also remember the scripture that talks of king David and how he danced and danced while accompanying the ark. He danced and praised so much that others thought he was mad. That is how I feel we should be in our praise. Singing to Jehovah is like prayer, because you&#39;re praising Him. I feel like it should be done freely and with abandon. I&#39;m not saying go nuts and start doing the jig in the KH, but just really get into it and feel Jehovah&#39;s spirit as you sing. In one of the congregations that I belonged to, we used to have a singing practice session after our bookstudy, and this was done for the main purpose of improving our singing at other meetings. I loved it.
I think my favorite song has to be 135 - "Jehovah, our place of dwelling." Love that song.

[shikinah]

This has always been my daughter&#39;s favorite. I&#39;m particularly fond of it too.
A song of hope, a glimpse of realities not yet beheld. Jehovah&#39;s promise to his sheep.

================================================== =============

<div align="center">Song 222

Keep Your Eyes on the Prize!

(2 Corinthians 4:18)

1. When eyes of blind ones see again

And ears of deaf ones hear again,

When deserts blossom as the rose

And from parched ground fresh water flows,

When lame ones leap just like the hart,

When loved ones never have to part

—Such blessed times you&#39;ll realize

If you keep your eyes on the prize.

2. When tongues of mute ones speak again,

When old ones will be young again,

When earth will yield her rich increase

And all good things will never cease,

When songs of children fill the air,

When joy and peace are ev&#39;rywhere,

Then, too, you&#39;ll see the dead arise

If you keep your eyes on the prize.

3. When wolves and lambs will feed as one,

When bears and calves bask in the sun,

A mere young boy will lead them all,

And they will heed his childish call.

When tears belong to yesterday,

When fears and pain have passed away,

You&#39;ll see how God these things supplies

If you keep your eyes on the prize.


WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY
OF PENNSYLVANIA
All Rights Reserved


Glory to our Father,
James
[/b][/quote]

Thank you James, this song was played at my fathers funeral last year, its very touching.

Jah Bless,
Elizabeth x