A Suggestion for a Gathering Hymn

For some reason, during this period of the Church, we seem to be stuck with the "gathering hymn."

I have fervent hope that the Church historians centuries from now will astound and shock their fellow Catholics when they write books about the Liturgical Dark Ages of the 20th and 21th centuries.

"Did they really decorate their churches with felt banners?" they will ask. "Did they really remove altar rails and put sand in the holy water fonts for Lent? Did they actually replace Gregorian chant and theological sound hymnody with songs that sounded like Broadway show tunes, wannabe folk music or video game soundtracks?"

Yes, yes they did, to our everlasting shame.

But I digress.

Gathering hymns tend to actually use the word "gather" in the lyrics, for example:

"Gather the People" by Dan Schutte (Warning: This links to an official version of this song. It seems to involve bongos, trumpets and cymbols. You've been warned. Don't complain to me if your ears bleed.)

Gather the people, enter the feast
All are invited, the greatest and least
The banquet is ready, now to be shared
Join in the heavenly feast that God has prepared

There's also Bob Hurd's "Gather Your People", which might work at a Protestant church that sings gospel music, except they tend to have better taste:

Gather your people, O Lord.
Gather your people, O Lord.
One bread, one body, one spirit of love.
Gather your people, O Lord.

And we can't forget Marty Haugen's infamous contribution, "Gather Us In" (which not only makes Baby Jesus cry, but has also spawned numerous parodies, such as this one):

Gather us in the rich and the haughty
Gather us in the proud and the strong,
Give us a heart so meek and so lowly,
Give us the courage to enter the song.

 (It always makes me snicker that Marty thinks its a lack of courage that prevents people from singing, and not good taste).

Since we have to sing a gathering hymn, at least at this point in time, might we start writing gathering hymns that men wouldn't be embarrassed to sing? That say more than "it's nice to be here with nice people"?

How about something like:

Gather your people, O Lord, to do battle with the forces of darkness and spread the truth of the gospel, which requires that we cooperate with your grace to grow in holiness, not just sit around and sing how wonderful we are.

Ok, so it could use some work, but I think you get the gist. Feel free to share you own suggestions in the combox.

St. Cecilia, pray for us.