Hymns/Odes in Freemasonry

[LorrB]

Given that Freemasonry is not a religion why do we persist in singing odes/hymns?

Are they important to what goes on in open lodge?

[paul]

It is a small step in learning our part in the Song of Creation

[Henka]

Mar 22, 2011 9:47:00 GMT 9.5 LorrB said:

Given that Freemasonry is not a religion why do we persist in singing odes/hymns?

Are they important to what goes on in open lodge?

We don't sing in lodge. O.o

[LorrB]

Wish we didn't in ours, we are woeful singers on the whole.

Some suggest that the actual 'noise' has an affect on more subtle planes, as do the knocks apparently.

[paul]

The intent is more important than the tunefulness.

[LorrB]

If Freemasonry is not a religion, why do we sing Christian hymns?

[paul]

The Christian church has recycled much content from the ancient mysteries. This was a major criticism of the early Church and, as I recall, St Augustine dealt with the allegations by asserting that Satan had anticipated Christianity and imitated it in advance.

I would therefore need to consider each hymn before deciding whether it was primarily Christian

[LorrB]

Mar 22, 2011 12:10:44 GMT 9.5 paul said:

Satan had anticipated Christianity and imitated it in advance.

Clever devil ..

[Cora B]

Mar 22, 2011 9:47:00 GMT 9.5 LorrB said:

Given that Freemasonry is not a religion why do we persist in singing odes/hymns?

Beats me. According to my ritual book (Lauderdale, 1992 Ed., Preface, p. 6-7) "It should be stressed, however, that music, chants, the placing of any picture or pictures on the walls, or the symbolic chair in the North, are non essentials.

Are they important to what goes on in open lodge?

The above would suggest they are non-essential. It does, however, go on to say that "The more elaborate ceremonial is, however, the especial glory of this Ritual."

I interpret that to mean that Hymns referred in the above are optional in the strict masonic context, but in the context of the Ritual itself it is deemed desirable to make use of music to lend atmospheric support.

What several of our Lodges do -- and quite successfully so -- is to use a selection of pre-recorded music; mostly instrumental.

I personally prefer this over the religious context of the Hymns.

With h.g.w.,

[LorrB]

I'm with you all the way with the pre-recorded music.

However...

there are those who 'have always done it this way'. Then when you give in to them (because they are beautiful people) you set up the next generation of 'have always done it this way's.

I have figured out for myself that this is the sole reason for us having to die and be reborn.... to teach us that we do NOT have to do it this way. "Let's try something new people" -TGAOTU.

[Cora B]

Mar 23, 2011 7:31:29 GMT 9.5 LorrB said:

there are those who 'have always done it this way'. Then when you give in to them (because they are beautiful people) you set up the next generation of 'have always done it this way's.

Hear, hear!

The only constant in life is change. If everything was meant to be set in stone no ashlar would ever be lifted from its earthly bonds, let alone exalted to be a keystone.

With h.g.w.,

[LorrB]

Talking about which...


..do you know that there is a misprint in our ritual where the word 'always' is printed as 'alway'. ie '..be with you alway'

I have pointed out to numerous people on numerous occasions that there is no such modern word as 'alway' but to no avail. They will insist on using the incorrect word, because it is in the book. For twenty years... (LorrB bangs head against wall ... )

(*Alway is an archaic spelling for always - archaic means not in modern usage)

[Cora B]

I know - likewise there are minor inconsistencies between the EA, FC and the full versionsl, although I don't off the top of my head remember which as I've been using the full version for some time now.

Having said that, archaic language is to some extent the nature of the beast. (*pet, pet*) "Alway" seems just ... rather quaint and unnecessarily archaic.

Poetic license?

[sallyroberts]

Mar 23, 2011 1:10:52 GMT 9.5 Cora B said:

Mar 22, 2011 9:47:00 GMT 9.5 LorrB said:

Given that Freemasonry is not a religion why do we persist in singing odes/hymns?

Beats me. According to my ritual book (Lauderdale, 1992 Ed., Preface, p. 6-7) "It should be stressed, however, that music, chants, the placing of any picture or pictures on the walls, or the symbolic chair in the North, are non essentials.

Are they important to what goes on in open lodge?

The above would suggest they are non-essential. It does, however, go on to say that "The more elaborate ceremonial is, however, the especial glory of this Ritual."

I interpret that to mean that Hymns referred in the above are optional in the strict masonic context, but in the context of the Ritual itself it is deemed desirable to make use of music to lend atmospheric support.

What several of our Lodges do -- and quite successfully so -- is to use a selection of pre-recorded music; mostly instrumental.

I personally prefer this over the religious context of the Hymns.

With h.g.w.,

I entirely agree with you Bro Cora! I do quite enjoy the hymns but am afraid that all too often the Brethren sound like a collection of Growly Teddy Bears rather a dignified choir Recorded music often adds a better atmosphere.

[LorrB]

I am relieved to hear that we are not the only crook choir in non-christendom.

[Cora B]

Oh heavens, you should've heard us on Saturday ... Sally and I were both coughing and spluttering alarmingly, and the rest bar one or two were joyously off-key.

The sooner we switch to recorded music, the happier I'll be! ;D

[paul]

I wonder however when the brethren will practice their part of the Song of Creation

[Cora B]

In the shower?

In all seriousness, though, the moment of Creation is what is expressed by the Rite of Censing in the Lauderdale Ritual, so whether we sing or not, the energies and intention are present.

[paul]

I suppose it is a matter of whether Masonic ritual is the beginning or the end of the path.

If it is the beginning then there may be more human group functions to learn

[Cora B]

I rather think of it as an ongoing cycle - perhaps that Circle around the Point; and the Winding Staircase.

By the time we've climbed one flight of stairs (or descended into a vault), another level's waiting for us.