There is plenty of research to support many teachers’ experience that singing reinforces memory. That’s why so many CDs exist with tunes for learning times tables, historic dates and the like. Dementia carers also understand well that long after other memories have eroded, songs remain for those living with the condition.
Did you know that in our orange hymn book, Hymns Old and New, there are three settings of the Lord’s Prayer. You’ll find them all listed under ‘O’ for “Our Father”: 554, 545 and 546. The traditional text is of course:
Our Father, Who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy Will be done,
on earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen.
You may recall each of these was sung on Sunday mornings through October, whilst communion was distributed. I remember the Caribbean version being popular whilst I was in primary school, but the others were new to me.
There is also a setting in “Out of the Ark”, the sing-a-long software used by our Sunday Club. This setting uses a mixture of traditional and updated text:
CHORUS Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Our Father, who art in heaven,
May Your name be honoured and praised.
1 Your kingdom come, Your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
May who You are, Your life and power,
Invade our lives forever.
CHORUS
2 Give us this day our daily bread
(The things we take for granted).
We look to You, our faithful God,
Creator and provider.
CHORUS
3 Forgive us all our sinful ways
As we forgive each other.
We need Your mercy and Your grace
To give to one another.
CHORUS
4 And lead us not into temptation,
Deliver us from evil.
For we believe You are God alone
And we are all Your people.
CHORUS x 2
May Your name be honoured and praised.
Many readers of this magazine will know the words to the Lord’s Prayer perfectly well. Singing them allows us to engage anew in a fresh way.
Carol P
St Margaret's Church Prestwich 