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God of this City
So, I'm really quite taken by the awesome Bluetree song 'God of this CIty', recorded on the recent Passion album. We're doing a social justice series at the moment, so the context that this song was written (in the midst of a concert by a Christian band in a brothel) and the lyrics are so appropriate to our local church. We've used the recorded version as an audio backing for a slideshow of pictures of our city. But now I'm really keen to introduce the song congregationally.
The problem is, I'm finding it really hard to sing. It's not the range that I'm struggling with most, although the song has a big melodic jump into the chorus. I can just about move the key to fit something I think is within reach of our mainly Asian congregation.
My biggest problem with the song is the end of the word 'City' in each line of the chorus. Chris Tomlin, in his fantastic Texan accent sings something more like 'cit- aaaay-aay-aa-aa-aay', which sounds great, especially with a huge band behind him, and, most-often, a stadium-sized audience in front. But with my British accent I sing what comes out as 'Citeee-eeeeee-eee-eee-eee', with my more acoustic band and a much smaller group of people ends up sounding rather less than anthemic.
So, should I sing like a Texan? Or just end the line much earlier, with a big pause after? Or add in extra words? Or....? What do those of you who have led this song do?
Another similar song is "This Is Our God", also recorded by Chris Tomlin, which has in the chorus, "Mmmmmm.... mmmmmmm... this is our God". He makes it sound awesome and I.... well, let's just say I haven't used this one congregationally yet either!
Applying this question a bit wider, any suggestions in general on how to lead songs that have words or phrases that are really hard to sing?
Am thinking of doing God of this CIty end of next week, so any quick response much appreciated.
The problem is, I'm finding it really hard to sing. It's not the range that I'm struggling with most, although the song has a big melodic jump into the chorus. I can just about move the key to fit something I think is within reach of our mainly Asian congregation.
My biggest problem with the song is the end of the word 'City' in each line of the chorus. Chris Tomlin, in his fantastic Texan accent sings something more like 'cit- aaaay-aay-aa-aa-aay', which sounds great, especially with a huge band behind him, and, most-often, a stadium-sized audience in front. But with my British accent I sing what comes out as 'Citeee-eeeeee-eee-eee-eee', with my more acoustic band and a much smaller group of people ends up sounding rather less than anthemic.
So, should I sing like a Texan? Or just end the line much earlier, with a big pause after? Or add in extra words? Or....? What do those of you who have led this song do?
Another similar song is "This Is Our God", also recorded by Chris Tomlin, which has in the chorus, "Mmmmmm.... mmmmmmm... this is our God". He makes it sound awesome and I.... well, let's just say I haven't used this one congregationally yet either!
Applying this question a bit wider, any suggestions in general on how to lead songs that have words or phrases that are really hard to sing?
Am thinking of doing God of this CIty end of next week, so any quick response much appreciated.
Tags: chris tomlin, god of this city, singing
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Paul Childs on -
I can't really use that one in our church, despite enjoying it very much when Tomlin did it at Frenzy earlier this month.
We're in a small town, not much bigger than a large village really, and use of the word 'City' seems very odd indeed.
We had a similar issue when I tried to use Robin Marks' "This City, These Streets" song about 10 years ago.
I would say - if it feels weird/false/forced trying to sing words (whether physically or because of the meaning) then you ought to leave the song out altogether - no matter how great you think it is. If the worship leader doesn't sound like s/he means it (deliberately or not), then the congregation are not likely to take heart from that.
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Permalink Reply by Mike on -
Thanks, Paul. Good advice.
We are in city, so the song is more appropriate for us.
I would usually leave out a song if it felt uncomfortable, but this time it's a case of the lyrics are 100% spot on where our church is at (the next mini-series even has the same name as this song!) and the tune is 99% comfortable - just one word! Surely there's a way round this one word?
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Permalink Reply by Paul Childs on
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I say just pronounce it "Cit-ay" instead of "Cit-ee".
It'll sound fine - the congregation will follow your lead if you do it with confidence.
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Permalink Reply by Paul Kent on -
I avoided "How great is our God" for a while, because the "sing with me" sounded contrived..
But eventually it won me over. Now I feel comfortable singing it and love to lead it...
I don't think we should be false when we lead.. Which has a great impact when you're singing about theology.. cos we need to get to grips with it for it to be something we feel comfortable singing/teaching.
I think this particular song is great and would work well congregationally with whatever accent. It's a pity it's not available on UK itunes yet... (and Bluetree took their original down for remastering! D'oh!)
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Permalink Reply by Paul Childs on
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They had their CDs on sale at Frenzy - perhaps you can get it direct from their site - or is it just the one song you're after?
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Permalink Reply by Sim Walker on -
It is a great song. You can hear the Bluetree version on youtube at
http://youtube.com/watch?v=XqQhZKpZVCo
There's also an awesome piece of video work which correlates with the artwork for the same titled Passion CD
http://youtube.com/watch?v=VmC44K0xQLE
Tomlin does it in C. Difficult. As with most songs in C, it can work in A with the verses not being really really low.
If you listen to the Bluetree bloke, sure he doesn't say Cit-aaaa-aaaayyyyy, but he doesn't sound British either. I'd just be tempted to say who cares. Don't try and be Texan if you're not. If the song is appropriate (we're going through a series on mission and we're doing it this week too) then just use it. If you sound funny, well so what. If people sing it and mean it, worship with it and through it, meet God because of it and get more enthused for seeing God work and glorified in their environment then go for it.
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Permalink Reply by Mike on
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Good point about Bluetree being Irish! I'd forgotten that. I havn't heard their version so maybe hearing it will give me the alternative perspective I'm looking for.
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Permalink Reply by Paul Kent on
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Hey I'm just uploading a quick version I recorded..
testing out a few different ways of doing the chorus..
I literally pressed record and ran in with a guitar.. So forgive some horrendous engineering.. Please don't use it as an example of my work :D lol.
check my profile to hear it. I think it works.
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Permalink Reply by Paul Kent on
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Obviously I cheated and didn't do the trill.. But I'm not sure how many of my congregation would really deal with that well anyway...
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