Growing up in a Southern Baptist church in a very small town, Sunday worship services were always comprised of standard hymns that, to my young ears, seemed nothing short of ancient. Occasionally we would have a special guest or someone from the congregation that would prepare a solo which would be a contemporary Christian song. I have always really enjoyed and related to contemporary Christian music, and I am not ashamed to admit that KLOVE has been set as one of my programmed radio stations in my car. However, a love of the new does not mean that there should be a definite dismissal of the old. As an artist myself, I came to question what would be an affective way to incorporate classic older hymns into my personal worship playlists. I found that MANY traditional church songs have been covered by popular artists and revamped in ways that appeal to younger audiences. Here are the first three of my finds…
1. Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing/If You Could Hie To Kolob by Elenyi and Sarah Young
“Methinks the Spirit whispers, no man has found 'pure space,'
Nor seen the outside curtains, where nothing has a place…
Teach me some melodious sonnet, sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount, I’m fixed upon it, mount of thy redeeming love.”
I discovered this cover while sitting on a bus in Ireland this summer, and I bought it instantly and have had it on repeat since my first listen. “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing”, has been totally redone by sister group, Elenyi. These three sisters from Salt Lake City, Utah, accompanied by Sarah Young, have created one of the most beautiful mash-ups that I have ever heard by combining this 18th century hymn with the traditional Mormon hymn, “If You Could Hie To Kolob”. The mash-up intertwines the thankfulness and humility of the Christian heart that is represented in “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing”, and the mysticism and capacity of God that is sung about in “If You Could Hie to Kolob”. This musical fusion along with Elenyi’s beautiful harmonies makes for a song that you will certainly keep on repeat.
2. In Christ Alone by Owl City
“No power of hell, no scheme of man, can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home, here in the power of Christ I'll stand.”
I first heard this cover years ago when I was still in high school. I have always been an Owl City fan, and “In Christ Alone” is my all-time favorite Christian song, so this pairing was perfect for me. The recording begins with what seems like a typical rendition of the song featuring a basic piano accompaniment. However, once Adam Young begins to sing, listeners will notice that he slowly begins to incorporate subtle voice enhancements that give him the electronic, echo-ey sound for which he is best known. With all due respect to church choirs and old recordings, I find this contemporary version of “In Christ Alone” to be much more enjoyable and also incredibly human.
3. How Great Thou Art by Carrie Underwood
“When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,
And then proclaim: "My God, how great Thou art!"
The most “traditional” style of the three covers of which I am writing, Carrie Underwood’s angelic rendition of “How Great Thou Art” is definitely a tear-jerker. With nothing but a basic, country-style accompaniment and her flawless voice, Underwood belts this classic hymn that originated from a Swedish poem. The cover brilliantly makes a well-known older church song more easily approachable and enjoyable for anyone. Covers like hers are what are what will keep my generation listening to longer older hymns like this.
