Verses
by Paul Turner

"How many verses shall we sing?" Musicians and assemblies in Catholic parishes frequently take a shortcut on hymn verses. When Catholic assemblies first started singing, we usually picked four hymns and timidly sang two verses of each. Many assemblies still sing only two verses of a hymn, a practice which would surely puzzle the composer of its text. Perhaps our social experience inspired us: Americans pridefully sing the national anthem at most every important civic and sporting event -- but only the first verse!

A hymn has a point to make. The verses relate a single idea from beginning to end. Singing part of a hymn is like reciting part of a poem or reading part of a book. Some hymns to the Trinity praise one Person of the Godhead in each verse; musicians who lop off the third verse to the Holy Spirit violate one of the principal beliefs in Christianity.

Although most hymns should be sung completely, there are some exceptions. Sometimes the composer intends only part of the piece to be sung. Such songs usually feature a refrain -- a few words you sing over and again. A refrain brings our meditation home over and over, while the choir or a soloist sings verses in between. Such verses refract the words of the refrain like light through a prism. Since some parts of the Mass vary in length, like the opening procession and the receiving of communion, we often sing music with refrains at that time. We can vary the number of verses to fit the action. However, if the text of the music has a bigger point to make, we sing the whole piece.

Some hymns conclude with a sung "Amen." But even though it may appear in the hymnal at the end of a piece, many Catholic musicians and assemblies see it like invisible ink. A sung şAmenş can give a firm assent to the devotion which the hymn invites. Omitting it threatens sincerity. A minimal approach to verses invites a minimal approach to singing. Gathered at the table of the Lord, let us lift our voices 'round God's throne, where they will give due praise when we sing with meaning and full intent.

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Paul Turner, pastor of St. Munchin Parish in Cameron, MO, holds a doctorate in sacramental theology from Sant' Anselmo University in Rome.