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? about "Old Rugged Cross"

Discussion in 'Music Ministry' started by Sopranette, Sep 8, 2007.

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  1. Sopranette

    Sopranette New Member

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    I've heard two different versions of "Old Rugged Cross". One, where the singer goes "And I'll cling (pause) to the old rugged cross...)", but I was taught there is no pause, just a steady enunciation and time, "cling to the old rugged cross", no break. Also, "Cling" was substituted for "stay". To me, cling is a more powerful image, like clinging to a life preserver when you're about to drown, and "stay" seems more passive. And cling rings better, too. Your thoughts?

    love,

    Sopranette
     
    #1 Sopranette, Sep 8, 2007
  2. SaggyWoman

    SaggyWoman Active Member

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    Sing it how you want to.

    It is like the song "there is power in the blood." Some people put a million powers in there.

    I have heard the cross song sang with and without the pause, but not with the "stay".
     
    #2 SaggyWoman, Sep 8, 2007
  3. pocadots1990

    pocadots1990 Member

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    I have heard it sung both ways, but I think the best way to sing is without the pause because there is no rest behind the word and it is not the end of a phrase.

    Just my two cents worth.:wavey:
     
    #3 pocadots1990, Sep 8, 2007
  4. Sopranette

    Sopranette New Member

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    Thanks, guys! I also prefer no pause, cling vs. stay version, but that's not always possible when singing with a group. If I'm singing my favorite version, it might not always "jive" with what everyone else is singing. To me, it just sounds better. I don't know what version is the original.

    love,

    Sopranette

    BTW..still looking for a local church to sing solos. I won't sound like anyone you'
    ve ever heard. You may PM me, if you like.
     
    #4 Sopranette, Sep 8, 2007
  5. SaggyWoman

    SaggyWoman Active Member

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    You can still sing it how you want.

    I have visited Ukrainian churches, and learned chorus to "How Great Thou Art" in Ukrainian. Now, I can't help but sing the Ukrainian version when I sing in America.
     
    #5 SaggyWoman, Sep 8, 2007
  6. rsr

    rsr <b> 7,000 posts club</b>
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    There is no reason to pause after "cling"; there is no pause written into the text, and breaking the phrase at that point puts the emphasis on "cling" instead of flowing into the object, which is the cross.

    As to replacing "cling" with "stay": Why would anyone want to replace a strong image with a weaker one?

    But then, I still can't get used to "At the Cross" without "such as worm as I."

    As John Wesley said:

     
    #6 rsr, Sep 8, 2007
  7. Gayla

    Gayla New Member

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    "I will stay to the Old Rugged Cross"? Do they change more than the one word? That doesn't make sense.

    I think the pause is just because of incorrect phrasing and that's where the breath is taken. Instead of after "down.", it gets put in there three words later.
     
    #7 Gayla, Sep 9, 2007
  8. Sopranette

    Sopranette New Member

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    It really doesn't make any sense, does it? Unless you're short of breath, there's no reason to pause there. "Stay" actually came about when I was rehearsing with an organist, of all people. Now she was a very mild mannered, quiet person, so maybe "stay" seemed more comfortable to her. To me, it takes some of the power away from the song. If you're going to sing it, put some heart into it!

    love,

    Sopranette
     
    #8 Sopranette, Sep 9, 2007
  9. ccrobinson

    ccrobinson Active Member

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    To the congregational singer, I suppose it sounds like there's a pause there, but to the pianist, there's no pause.

    In every hymnal I've seen it in, "The Old Rugged Cross" is written in 6/8 time and "cling" is held in the soprano (melody) for a full 5 beats while the alto part sings "old rugged cross" and holds "cross" for 2 beats. On beat 6, both the soprano and alto parts go on to sing the next phrase starting with "Till my trophies...". Of course, this doesn't mean that the congregation is going to hold "cling" for 5 beats. More likely is that they'll end the word "cross" and do nothing for those beats, making it sound like there's a pause when one doesn't really exist.
     
    #9 ccrobinson, Sep 10, 2007
  10. Gayla

    Gayla New Member

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    We're discussing a different part of the chorus ccrobinson. Cling is not the part that is held with the (old rugged cross) echo, Cross is. :wavey:
     
    #10 Gayla, Sep 10, 2007
  11. Gwyneth

    Gwyneth <img src=/gwyneth.gif>

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    I have only heard `cling` sung ..........
    and CROSS is held over 4 beats while part of the singers hold CROSS the others sing RUGGED CROSS again............ hope that makes sense.
     
    #11 Gwyneth, Sep 10, 2007
  12. ccrobinson

    ccrobinson Active Member

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    Doh! You're exactly right, Gayla. I have my lyrics mixed up. Ok, if I have the lyrics right this time, "cling" gets held for 2 beats. I don't see any benefit to adding additional beats to that part of the song. Sorry for the confusion.
     
    #12 ccrobinson, Sep 10, 2007
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