New Christian Songs *

2007-01-14 12:02 a.m.

Last week at Elim Church, I was introduced to two new songs, “He Reigns” and “Better than life”. I have remarked that Elim is so akin to LWMC and IBC(Singapore). In terms of the hymns/songs chosen, well yes to a great extent. But these two songs were a little away from LWMC’s/IBC’s typical songs.

First of all “He Reigns”. When the words were flashed on the screen, I thought, aha I know this one. The first few lines were “Our God is an awesome God, He Reigns from heaven above, with wisdom, power and love.” Ah, I thought, I know this one and sort of imagined Elaine Khoo singing it. But I was wrong.

The rhythm changed to a fast pace beat, akin to that of a rock band, and frankly I must say, Latino rock band. Umm, I thought, appearances can be deceiving. The next verse informed me that it was totally a new song. The lyrics were alright, fitting in with the “new style, Hillsong like” songs. If you know me, Hillsongs are ok, can be sung, but I favour old hymns like “Be thou My Vision” and “Great is thy Faithfulness”, with the music sort of toned down so that you can concentrate on the words and give a silent prayer at the same time. Not to say that all Hillsongs are rock-type. “Still” for example is excellent song that captures the essence of our relationship with God. But other times, the massive beat and rhythm drowns out some of the words or either ask you to listen to it rather than to let you sing the song with the passion of true worship to God. Rapid excessive beat, well, can also kill your ears. As for the music team who gets to play such a song, they may get um over enthusiastic and start playing the song with a fast, up-beat movement, for the sake of music, not for the sake of worship.

But in any case, such songs are being composed as time passes and readily accepted, even in some of the traditional churches and amongst some conservative Christians. The are after all songs of praises to the Almighty. However, I’m not sure whether LWMC would choose “He Regins” to sing. As mentioned, it’s really “un-Hillsong” like and pretty up beat. I have the whole song (courtesy of iTunes) and here are the lyrics:

Kirk Franklin - He Reigns Lyrics
Our God
Is an awesome God he reigns
From heaven
above
With wisdom, power and love
our God is an
awesome
Our God
Is an awesome God he reigns
From
heaven above
With wisdom, power and love
Our God is an
awesome God

You're marvellous and you're
glorious
You're love has made me victorious
You
took away the fear in us
Now we praise You cause you
You can deliver us

There aint no stoppin us
(naw)
Devil there aint no blockin us (naw)
Come on and
clap your hands with us
Like this like that

Our
God
Is an awesome God he reigns
From heaven above
With wisdom, power and love
our God is an awesome
Our
God
Is an awesome God he reigns
From heaven above
With wisdom, power and love
Our God is an awesome God

You're marvellous and you're glorious
You're love has made me victorious
You took away the
fear in us
Now we praise You cause you
You delivered
us

There aint no stoppin us (naw)
Devil there
aint no blockin us (naw)
Come on and clap your hands with
us
Like this like that

[Vamp:]
He reigns
He reigns
He reigns
Forever and ever

“Better than life” sounds closer to a typical Hillsong, perhaps a little akin to “Ancient of days.” It’s not so rock-like and there’s no mass repetitive beat to it. Part of the tune sounds drastically familiar to me. Like something I heard when I was about six or seven years old except I can’t place it. Or maybe I heard it in 2005 during Passion AC. Anyway, I think the LWMC team might like it. Couldn’t find the song from iTunes and only have a excerpt of it from some Christian site. Here are the lyrics (and chords):

Better Than Life
Israel Houghton, Cindy Cruse-Ratcliff
Key: C
Verse 1:
C5
Your love is everlasting; it's an everlasting love
C5
Your mercy is as new as every rising of the sun
Bb2
And Your loving kindness,
F/A C5 F5 C5 Bb2
loving kindness is better than life
C5
Your grace is all-sufficient; it's an all-sufficient grace
C5
Your power and Your glory are forever on display
Bb2
And Your loving kindness,
F/A C5 F5 C5 Bb2
loving kindness is better than life

Chorus:
G F C G F C
Oh it's better, Oh, better than life
G F Am D7
Oh so much better, Jesus,
F Bb2 C5
Your loving kindness is better than life

Verse 2:
Fairest of ten thousand, of ten thousand you are fair
And nothing in this world could ever measure or compare
To Your loving kindness,
Your loving kindness is better than life
All Your ways are just, oh Lord, You're just in all Your ways
And I will lift my hands, oh Lord, in gratitude and praise
For Your loving kindness,
Your loving kindness is better than life

Bridge:
C Dm C/E Am Dm
Jesus, Your loving kindness is better than itself
F G
Better than life itself

Both songs sounded different when sung in Church, and that was largely due to the worship team there. The main person I’m talking about is Bethan Drew, the lead female singer who has an incredible voice. And I meant it, I don’t think they’ve increased the volume specifically for her microphone, she has a really strong voice. Also, and incredible range. I bet you if Simon Cowell heard her, he would sign her up for a music contract instantly.

Um yeah. That’s it for now.

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