To write or choose music for a sacred gathering or purpose, a church will consider many factor's. These don't always include how recently it was played in a service, as some churches I have visited have played the same few song's over and over. The song's should reflect the mood and philosophy of the gathered community. There is Christian Hip Hop, just as there is country hick hop. The lyrics should be consistent with the message, and should be child friendly as well. Humor is always welcome, some forms of humor are never appropriate.
I'm going to teach a relatively simple song by Leonard Cohan, yes, Hallelujah, for all the right reason's:
Strumming
Edit
Whole Song 57 bpm
1
2
3
4
[Verse 1]
G Em
Now I've heard there was a secret chord
G Em
That David played, and it pleased the Lord
C D G D
But you don't really care for music, do you?
G C D
It goes like this the fourth, the fifth
Em C
The minor fall, the major lift
D B7 Em
The baffled king composing Hallelujah
C Em C G D G D
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelu-u-jah
[Verse 2]
G Em
Your faith was strong, but you needed proof
G Em
You saw her bathing on the roof
C D G D
Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew ya
G C D
She tied you to a kitchen chair
Em C
She broke your throne, and she cut your hair
D B7 Em
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah
C Em C G D G D
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelu-u-jah
[Verse 3]
G Em
You say I took the name in vain
G Em
I don't even know the name
C D G D
But if I did, well really, what's it to ya?
G C D
There's a blaze of light in every word
Em C
It doesn't matter which you heard
D B7 Em
The holy or the broken Hallelujah
C Em C G D G D
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelu-u-jah
[Verse 4]
G Em
I did my best, it wasn't much
G Em
I couldn't feel, so I tried to touch
C D G D
I've told the truth, I didn't come to fool ya
G C D
And even though it all went wrong
Em C
I'll stand before the Lord of Song
D B7 Em
With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah
[Outro]
C Em C G D
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
C Em C G D
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
C Em C G D
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
C Em C G D G
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
You can also arpeggiate the chords:
G Em C D B7
e|-------------|-------------|-------------|-------2-----|-------------|
B|-------------|-------------|-------1-----|-----3---3---|-------0-----|
G|-------0-----|-------0-----|-----0---0---|---2-------2-|-----2---2---|
D|-----0---0---|-----2---2---|---2-------2-|-0-----------|---1-------1-|
A|---2-------2-|---2-------2-|-3-----------|-------------|-2-----------|
E|-3-----------|-0-----------|-------------|-------------|-------------|
The placement of the guitar signatures above is correct, so the strum comes right where the lyrics are under the signature. Let's have fun, as this is one of the favorites of the American Public.
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