3 Dialogue Hymns That Make You Think
Lyrics to dialogue hymns are typically written in a question and answer format. Singers are split into two groups taking turns singing the question or the answer or a worship leader sings the question and then the congregation sings the answer in reply.
Singer-songwriter Andrew Peterson's Is He Worthy is a modern example of this.
"Do you feel the world is broken?" someone sings. "We do" is the melodic reply from the audience or congregation.
As an audience member, its nearly impossible to sing the answer back without thinking about the question and why you believe what you're singing.
It's also really hard to sit passively in your seat and not participate in a congregational moment like this one.
This type of "call and response" singing isn't common in churches today and its format is one of the reasons I believe Is He Worthy is having a moment (and rightly so).
But Andrew Peterson isn't the first songwriter to introduce congregations to a dialogue hymn. Although these dialogue hymns are few, they are mighty.
Here are three gems that come to mind:
Are You Weary, Heavy Laden? That's the more modern title. It's also known as Art Thou Weary, Art Thou Languid? The archaic words in the original lyrics to this one have likely kept the hymn out of a lot of public singing today.
But if you change just a few of the words to help modern singers understand it, it's incredibly meaningful. (Some hymnals have done this and I've included these lyrics at the end of this article.)
This hymn starts out with an invitation in the form of the question and the rest of the hymn is the "invitee" asking questions about Christianity to learn more.
The invitee seems trepid at first and asks how they can recognize this One who promises rest:
Does He wear a crown like a King does? Has He marks to lead me to Him?
He goes on to ask:
Will there be a reward? What's it like here on earth as a follower of Christ? Will He turn me away? Is He sure to bless>
The final answer is a triumphant one and I rejoice every time I think about or sing these lyrics to myself (yes, I do that and hope you do, too!).
Watchman, Tell Us of the Night. This Advent hymn has a history of use in Christmas Eve services. The two conversationalists here are a watchman and a traveler.
Traveler: Watchman, tell us of the night, what its signs of promise are.
Watchman: Traveler, o’er yon mountain’s height, see that glory beaming star.
Hymntime.com includes an observer's description of this dialogue hymn being used in a Christms Eve service:
This hymn evokes a vivid childhood memory. Two men with deep, sonorous voices sang this song at the Christmas Eve midnight service each year for as long as I can remember.
The church was dark, the watchman’s solitary lantern giving the only light in a hushed sanctuary. He stood at the altar, and the traveler slowly made his way down the aisle, as the two sang the question-reply verses to each other.
It was hard to miss the symbolism of the lonely traveler making his way to the One who sheds light on a dark world.
Church leaders, if you're looking for ideas for your next Christmas Eve service, this could be a strong contender!
Ask Ye What Great Things I Know? Although written over 200 years ago (by Johann Schwedler), this hymn remains highly singable! The lyrics are simple and powerful, the tune is contagious, and the answer to every single question is the same: "Jesus Christ, the Crucified!" Best answer ever, by the way.
Ask ye what great thing I know
That delights and stirs me so?
What the high reward I win?
Whose the name I glory in?
Jesus Christ, the Crucified.
Who defeats my fiercest foes?
Who consoles my saddest woes?
Who revives my fainting heart,
Healing all its hidden smart?
Jesus Christ, the Crucified.
Who is life in life to me?
Who the death of death will be?
Who will place me on His right,
With the countless hosts of light?
Jesus Christ, the Crucified.
This is that great thing I know;
This delights and stirs me so:
Faith in Him who died to save,
Him who triumphed o'er the grave:
Jesus Christ, the Crucified.
And as promised, here are the lyrics to
Art Thou Weary, Heavy Laden? (Modernized)
Author: St. Stephen of Mar Sabas; Translator: John Mason Neale
Are you weary, heavy laden?
Are you sore distressed?
'Come to me,' says One, 'and coming,
Be at rest!"
Has He marks to lead me to Him,
If He be my guide?
(To continue to read the more modern lyrics to "Art Thou Weary" below and to comment, be sure to enter your email address below. I promise to respect your privacy and only send you good stuff. )
