Monday, February 2, 2009

Hymnology

Last night during congregational singing one of my sons, who shall remain unnamed, looked up at me and said, "Who's Spiro Rinco?". "Who" I asked. "Spiro Rinco" he said. "What are you talking about", I innocently inquired. This was the reply, "We just sang there's a glorious church without Spiro Rinco, I want to know who he is". While trying hard to contain my laughter I explained that it was "without spot or wrinkle". When we got home I told Harold what had happened, he was highly amused because as a child he thought it was "Monce, Puerto Rico". This reminded me of wondering for years what a "Willie Race" was. I always thought it was "one glimpse of his sweet face, all sorrows Willie Race". I'm glad that at some age we learned to pay attention to the words in the hymnal.
I know that some of you have similar stories. Please share!

20 comments:

Florida Bozone Bunch said...

Too funny! I think sometimes we take for granted that the kids understand what is going around them in church, when in fact, their little minds are spinning in a different direction. Just a couple of rows away from you last night we had a misunderstanding when the ushers were called forward. Another unnamed child said, "Who are the ushers anyway?" I explained who they were and the child said, "Oh, I thought it was someone's name-I wondered why they were always calling on the Ushers to come forward. They even used them in other churches we visited." What can I say-I had a laugh over that one. I think the Ushers get used over any other family in the church. I wonder if the church would consider using another family to take up the offering once in a while?

sankey family said...

Ok...on the song The Cleansing Wave...the chorus..."I plunge and oh, it cleanseth me"..I always thought it was "I punch a hole, it cleanseth me"...never understood it but sang it at the top of my lungs..lol..

Anonymous said...

I used to think the chorus with the phrase 'Oh say but I'm glad, I'm glad' was "Oh, Satan, I'm glad, I'm glad." I've heard some funny ones in my years.

kayla said...

I think it was my sister that my parents heard singing, "Safely I am hiding, constantly abiding, under the atomic bomb".

This is bringing me much laughter.

Julia said...

I thought the "spot or wrinkle" song was a plea for chruch reconstruction. Our little church had old corrigated metal as part of the siding. I thought "without spot or wrinkle" was a call to re-side the church. When Mom explained otherwise she also told me her "Brother Wrinkle" story. :) "Tis a glorious chruch without Brother Wrinkle..."

Charity said...

I remember thinking the song "Called Unto Holiness" was the hymn that commanded all to be Bible Methodists! And I also had some serious questions about "Here I raise my Ebenezer!"

Liz said...

I can't think of any funny hymn mix-ups, but I wanted to tell you I enjoy your blog!

It would be fun to meet - another great reason to visit FL! :>)

CHolden said...

I never understood why we sang that song ("A Glorious Church") when the carpet in front of the alter was full of wrinkles! I distinctly remember as a 6- or 7-year-old singing that song and staring at that spot in the carpet wondering what the song leader was thinking when he picked it.

Also my grandmother, Freda Holden, thought that they had dedicated a hymn especially for her when they sang "Glorious Freda, Wonderful Freda!"

Mary Ellen said...

Oh my word, these are all hilarious! Once again Kayla when reading your blog I'm laughing and instead of just one of my kids wanting to know what is so funny - this time both Michael AND Rick were asking what I was laughing at. I bet a whole book could be written on this one subject. After reading all of these I can't even think of anything but I'm going to keep coming back to see what else others have to say!

Kelly S said...

These are all so funny! This was a very enjoyable post!

Anonymous said...

The funniest one I can think of is a mix up by a relative. The chorus of the song "Covered by the Blood" was sung "Mine iniquities so vast have been POTTIED out at last" instead of "blotted out at last" like it's written! Hilarious!

Wesley Holden said...

My mother's name is Freda and for many years as a girl she thought that her Free Methodist family and friends were singing about her when they sang, "Glorious Freda, wonderful Freda, no more in chains...."

Anonymous said...

Your blog made my day. I laughed so hard my sides are hurting.
Debbie Holden

kayla said...

Here are a couple more I've been told the past couple of days.

"A chair reached the Old Rugged Cross" instead of I'll cherish.....

"Not a bird shall harm me" from Sheltered in the Arms of God

Twila G. said...

My sister's daughter, Emily, asked her why the people in the Singing Christmas Tree were singing about stepping on people. "You know, mom, that song I stand, I stand on all of you." (I stand, I stand in awe of you.) Too funny.

Allana Martian said...

Yes, I used to wonder about those "5 bleeding woundsy bears" in the hymn Arise, My Soul Arise.

Here's the best one of all. We used to pick up an elderly lady and take her to church every Sunday. She used to request the song "I remember When My Burdens Rolled Away" in memory of her late husband!!! My siblings and I never could keep a straight face.

The Dickinsons said...

I can't remember any my children have said right now, but surely enjoyed reading all of these. Too funny!

Have a great evening. =)

The Dickinsons said...

Kayla,
I would love to have some of those bolts of material...but The customs would probably be out of this world expensive. Thank you for thinking of me, but hopefully you can find someone nearer to home to use that material.

Have a super great evening.

Holly said...

I always wondered who "Spod Winkle" was...since it was such a glorious church without him. My aunt hated "Whosever surely meaneth me" because she thought everyone was singing "Shirley's mean at me"!

Anonymous said...

I remember when I was young a peer of mine singing " Victory in Jesus..... He socked me and he bopped me with his redeeming..."