This past Friday and Saturday we got a double dose of the Irish couple at the forefront of the modern hymn movement, Keith and Kristyn Getty. The Getty’s brought their band to Sojourn’s home in Louisville’s inner city, The 930 Art Center, on Friday night. I was personally glad that they displayed the lyrics to their songs on our mounted flat screens. Not that many of us needed the words — we Sojourners love Getty music.
I was also glad that they had a fantastic Irish fiddler with them (well, actually she’s Canadian, but she knows how to throw down). We sang along with the Getty’s on contemporary additions to the canon of Western hymnody like “In Christ Alone,” “The Power of the Cross,” “See, What A Morning,” and several of their newer songs, like the Compassion Hymn.
As a songwriter, I had looked forward to Keith Getty’s songwriting seminar even more than the concert. He didn’t disappoint. From nine to noon on Saturday morning, Keith explained his philosophy of songwriting, talked about why “modern hymns” are like a local delicacy from Nord’s Bakery (donuts with bacon on top), walked us through the creative process behind eight Getty hymns, and took at least fifteen questions from the 80 or so people in attendance.
Those of you who come here regularly or listen to a lot of Sojourn music may know that I compose my own song lyrics “hymn style” (meaning that there is a specific meter — for instance, seven syllables to every line of “Lead Us Back.”). My main source of confidence in doing so was Keith and Kristyn Getty, and their frequent collaborator Stuart Townend — along with our own Pastor Mike, who let me know that I’d have the freedom to go in that direction at Sojourn, when I first arrived here.
I had never heard of modern era hymnists before becoming acquainted with “In Christ Alone.” The fact that young people were writing in this old style, and finding acceptance, was all the confidence I needed. And this — the confidence to work as a songwriter — was an infectious part of Keith Getty’s lecture throughout his time at The 930 Saturday morning.
The Getty’s compose their songs with great theological care. They also tell stories like skilled balladeers. “In Christ Alone,” for instance, takes us through the birth, death, burial and resurrection of Christ, and the promise of heaven to the believer. “O Church, Arise” not only works as poetry, but as a short treatise on the church and spiritual warfare, as well as a call to action/sending — all while keeping the cross in view.
Several children, including my own, were in attendance. So after Keith concluded his seminar, Kristyn came to the stage and called the kids on stage as well. The Getty’s then led the kids (and us) in two of their songs for children. It was a fun way to end a thought-provoking morning.
Hopefully we’ll be able to post a recording of the seminar soon. Subscribe to our RSS Feed to be sure you hear the news first!
Have you posted a recording of this event? I’d like to hear it! Thanks,