Reverse dreary trend for banal and commonplace hymns

I MUST agree with the views expressed by Diana Priestley (Yorkshire Post, August 13).

I have played for many weddings where couples have no idea of hymns through the lack of singing them in school and the rampant secularisation of society in this country.

There are countless beautiful hymns from all periods, particularly from the Victorian to the early 20th century, with glorious tunes and lovely words which one does come to appreciate more with the passing of the years. The morning assembly that we always held at every school that I ever attended did give a sense of respect towards Christianity and all the truly admirable and worthwhile values that it stands for.

It also helped to set you up for all the trials and tribulations of the day ahead and put things into a proper perspective.

They gave you strength and knowledge that there is a purpose to life, without which all is void and meaningless.

Other faiths may have meaning for some people but this is, after all, and has been for many years a Christian country. These values should not be watered down by do-gooders, liberals, trendies and Stalinists.

The hymns that we sang are stirring, melodious and have real meaning, such as Hills of the North Rejoice. He Who Would Valiant Be is another gem.

Herein lies my only disagreement with the letter. Why on earth are these wonderful hymns just brushed aside in favour of mindless “happy clappy” rubbish? Modern hymns are pointless, tuneless and infantile in the extreme.

Once again, the guitar-twanging modernists have infiltrated music for worship, just as they have taken over music in general. These “tunes” are trite, boring, repetitive and aggravating to a degree and it is a sad job if they are “written” to “attract the young ones”.

They will do nothing of the sort. How can the “young ones” ever come to learn and appreciate worthwhile hymns if they are always denied the chance to learn them? It is the same with the music curriculum in schools. It used to be the case that a responsible adult world encouraged children to enjoy higher things, not stoop to producing mindless drivel because they felt that it amused them.

If the system turns its back on the beautiful and ethereal, that for years has withstood the test of time, it will be a tragic and needless loss for the children of today. They will miss out – big time.

I have heard these appalling “modern” tunes played upon beautiful cathedral organs – an insult to the instruments – simply because the bride and bridegroom did not know of any decent hymns. Awful! They were therefore advised by trendy clergy and people who want to modernise.

Please reverse this dreary trend, before centuries of artistic and cultural excellence is dumped in favour of the banal and commonplace.