What happened to all the hymns?

[Notlaughingalot]

I clearly remember a lot of the hymn we used to sing in assembly.

How great thou art
For those in peril on the sea
Lord of the dance
Morning has broken
Love divine all loves excelling

And for the leavers
One more step along the world I go

For coming in to assembly and for leaving (in silent, orderly rows of course!) the music teacher played classical piano tunes from Chopin, Mendelssohn (Songs without words) and Beethoven.

I do think that today's children are missing out. Or is it just me, and really, today's schools are much better than in the past?

Well, if you’re being that specific, I Vow to Thee my Country is set to the main theme of Gustav Holst’s Jupiter - not the easiest tune to hum along to, but classic nonetheless. Holst also wrote a setting for the carol In the Bleak Midwinter (words by Christina Rossetti).

Hubert Parry wrote a couple of corkers for Jerusalem (words by the Romantic poet William Blake) and (IIRC) For All The Saints.

Many hymns set to music a version/translation of well known words from the Bible, or classic prayers, as well as religious or spiritual poetry. Some hymn tunes are borrowed from folk song, like Lord of the Dance. Some do offer a gateway to truly great choral masterpieces. And of course, there are many popular hymns whose melodies are not classic, but basic and catchy. Whether they are classic or not, I think it’s a great shame that this part of our musical heritage is dying out in schools.

One of mine was a chorister, did grade 8 voice, read theology and now teaches English . Plenty of avenues available le for choral and classical music if that's what you want for your DC.

@Dizzybelle - yea it's 2023 and unfortunately religion and education isn't separate. It seems Christian education is very much being phased out whilst other cultures promote and insist on religious education to the detriment, imo, to society.

I'm not religious but love hymns that perhaps we should just view as songs. Perhaps , as opposed to actively complaining about them, we should just sing them for the beautiful music they are. Especially where they actually celebrate more pagan festivals eg 'they plough fields and scatter' .....

I still don't see why you think hymns are the only way forward when exposing children to a variety of music, including classical.
Lots of things 'die out' in school, because times change, as already stated there is no reason why parents cannot take their children to churches/places of worship if they really want them to do some hymn singing or to sign them up to music lessons and encourage them to play religious pieces.
While some people get comfort from religion, or feel a sense of unity, religion also divides - I grew up in an area where religion was, and is, a source of conflict and where singing religious songs could also been seen as aggressive or confrontational. That's partly why I am glad to see them less prevalent in schools.

I also think it’s sad that assemblies aren’t what they used to be in terms of hymn singing.
Although one of my children did sing One more Step along the world I go at the end of nursery (prep school)

when I think back to my primary school in the 1970s I particularly liked the hymn “lord dismiss us with thy blessing” sung at the end of term and I think it was “lord behold us with thy blessing” to the same tune at the start of term. Whilst the words now seem old fashioned I still love the tune.

I don't think it's to the detriment of our society that Christianity is being phased out. After all, most UK schools have children who have a wide variety of faiths, or none at all.
I just think it's a pity that the hymns (or songs) have been sidelined. I agree about the beautiful music being discontinued.

Lots of other beautiful music out there, that they can be listening to and singing, it just doesn’t need to be about a god and/ religion that many people do not believe in. We need to teach our kids to broaden, to widen their perspectives and understanding of the world around them, we no longer need to be doing it through the restrictive lens of religious hymns, for example. Loads of alternative, wonderful secular music out there to learn about.

Please, please, PLEASE remind me what the rest of this song is! All I can remember is that it was one of my favourites to sing!

Strawberries sweeter than I've ever seen.
Something something something something
Broad beans are sleeping in a blankety bed

Beetroot purple and something red

@Allofthisisasimulation

Some well crafted songs, undoubtedly, but that doesn't really prove the point that they are the only well crafted songs which exist.

I didn't claim that* *they were. The thread is about hymns so I was instancing some well crafted hymns.
The OP also cites classical music in her post but the title is about hymns.

Cauliflowers fluffy and cabbages green
Strawberries are sweeter than any I've seen
Beetroots purple and onions white
All grow steadily day and night

The apples are ripe, the plums are red
The broadbeans are sleepin' in a blankety bed

Blackberries are juicy and rhubards are sour
Marrows are fattening hour by hour
Gooseberries hairy and lettuces fat
Radishes round and runner beans flat

The apples are ripe, the plums are red
The broadbeans are sleepin' in a blankety bed

Orangey carrots and turnips cream
Reddening tomatoes that used to be green
Brown potatoes in little heaps
Down in the darkness where the celery sleeps

The apples are ripe, the plums are red
The broadbeans are sleepin' in a blankety bed

I think singing for children at all ages would do wonders for their mental health.

The physical act of singing just releases something and makes you feel better.

I sing in the car so loud sometimes and it feels great

All children should have the chance to sing every day.

Apparently singing/playing music everyday helps children learn maths too! Something to do with rhythm and recognising pattern.

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of Glory died
My richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride
Forbid it Lord that I should boast
Save in the death of Christ my Lord
All the vain things that charm me most
I sacrifice them to His blood
See from His head His hands His feet
Sorrow and love flow mingled down
Did ever such love and sorrow meet
Or thorns compose so rich a crown
Were the whole realm of nature mine
That were an offering far too small
Love so amazing so divine
Demands my soul my life my all

I mean. This is just horseshit. I’d rather my children sang Taylor Swift in school than this

i loved singing in primary, pass me down my silver trumpet, gods love is like a circle and all that but I'm an atheist and don't think kids should be made to sing religious songs in none religious schools.

I think the op is confusing hymns with classical music

He hymns were the only good thing about primary school assemblies and church, unfortunately I was often asked to sing in a quiet voice  tone deaf is not in it. I liked the moody emo ones best.

Randomly went to Durham in the summer to go to a cat cafe and went to the cathedral to kill some time, tbh I think it's the closest I have ever come to a spiritual experience, the choir were practicing and it was so beautiful and awe inspiring, very goosebumpy, absolutely loved it.

Anyone else have hymns from a mustard coloured book with a pattern on the front? I don't remember any featuring cabbages, I went to a Catholic school in the 80s for reference. I remember little donkey, colours of day, something the redeemer, one that featured you were there, you were there. God my memory is terrible.

@DreamItDoIt do you actually know the words to We Plough the Fields and Scatter?

we plough the fields, and scatter the good seed on the land;
but it is fed and watered by God's almighty hand
he sends the snow in winter, the warmth to swell the grain
the breezes and the sunshine and soft refreshing rain

all good gifts around us are sent from heaven above:
then thank the Lord, oh thank the Lord for all his love

He only is the maker of all things near and far
He paints the wayside flower: he lights the evening star
the winds and waves obey him: by him the birds are fed
Much more to us, his children, he gives our daily bread

We thank thee then, o Father, for all things bright and good:
the seedtime and the harvest; our life, our health, our food.
accept the gifts we offer; for all thy love imparts
and, what thou most desirest, our humble thankful hearts.

It's quite explicitly not pagan, the entire way through.

It differs from most Traditional Harvest Festival hymns in that it doesn't reference the final reaping (Give thine angels charge at last in the fire the tares to cast, etc) which is possibly why it's remained popular.

Being forced to sing hymns was the worst part of school. I used to get in trouble for not participating. When I was called out I would lip sync. The worst days were when Jubilate was trotted out.

I don’t think children should be forced to sing along if they don’t want to. I did always enjoy saying prayer every morning despite not being religious.

I'm a kid of the 70's and I remember singing puff the magic dragon, o bla di o bla da, I'd like to teach the world to sing and other "classics" in assembly, we did sing a few hymns but only kiddy ones like one more step and Lord of the dance. Secondary we didn't sing them except for Christmas, harvest and Easter when we went to the local church.

My kids school was similar, though they sand as choristers at church so know huge numbers

I had a similar experience in a church in France. All the people around me had their eyes closed, listening. It was so sublime that when the singer stopped and left to go home I spoke to her but couldn't muster up any French and just gushed at her in English!
I agree with you, OP. There is something special about hymns - the good ones. It's the music more than the words for me. It impoverishes our children's education if they don't have hymns. Plus, the good tunes ( I particularly like the Wesley ones) are uplifting to sing.

We're not religious, nor are any of our local secondary schools. So I certainly wouldn't be wanting my DC to sing hymns in school.

I'm very grateful that they also never seemed to in primary other than at Christmas.

Church (and church schools) are where I'd go for hymns.

@Choppysue When I needed a neighbour?

Something redeemer is a little less specific ;-)

There is a redeemer, Jesus, God's own So-o-o-on
Guide me, o thou great redeemer
I know that my redeemer lives: what joy the blest assurance gives
apparently there's a popular Catholic one called Hail redeemer, King divine?