Hymns
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The Distinction between Good Songs and Good Hymns
Some good songs make bad hymns. A hymn is for a group of not especially talented people to sing together in church. Consider art songs, Gregorian chant, and Christian radio music.
Art songs are beautiful when sung solo by a professional singer. They're lousy when sung in a group by ordinary people.
Gregorian chant is great when chanted by monks in a Gothic monastery. They're lousy when chanted by miscellaneous people in a school gym that is being used for church.
Christian radio music can be okay, at least, when performed in a giant stadium with special effects and thousands of people. It's lousy when sung in a small church.
