Question:

What is your opinion regarding hymns that are set to the tunes of popular songs?

Answer:

Those who do this are concerned only with the meaning, while ignoring the effect of music on the soul. Music instills certain feelings within the soul.

An instrumental musical piece (without words) can make a person rejoice, weep, feel enthusiastic, become stirred, or awaken a particular desire within him.

Therefore, we must not forget the effect of music on the soul.

A hymn is a spiritual song, and its music should be spiritual and its melodies sacred.

It is therefore not appropriate to combine it with a particular tune that may stir up other feelings, rather than the sacred spiritual feelings intended by the hymn.

Furthermore, this may remind the person singing the hymn of the popular song and its lyrics, causing his mind or heart to wander, or his feelings to become mixed with it.

We must remember, my brothers, the words of the Apostle: “And what communion has light with darkness?!” (2 Corinthians 6:14).

An article by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III – El-Keraza Magazine – Year Two, Issue Ten, December 1966.

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