Hymns as Civil Disobedience

By John Hutchins

Singing is deeply rooted in our souls and communities. Christianity has always esteemed music (especially hymns) as chief among God’s created gifts. Yesterday, the government of my home state (Maine) issued rules that allow small religious gatherings but strongly discourage congregational singing. Other governments (notably Germany’s) have entirely prohibited singing in church, rationalizing that it projects the coronavirus. But, the church sings. She cannot relinquish her birthright of congregational singing, even temporarily.

Humanity has a long history of singing in protest against government. Traditional folk songs often contain themes against war (“Mrs. McGrath”) or injustice (“Oh Freedom!”). Notable twentieth-century American musicians used famous songs in their protests: for example, Woody Guthrie (“This Land Is Your Land”), Bob Dylan (“Masters of War”) and Pete Seeger (“We Shall Overcome”).

What makes music so effective in protest? The deep connection between an emotive melody and meaningful lyrics teaches powerfully, attracting people to the movement. Singing engages multiple senses to plant ideas deep into the memory, so that they will not easily be forgotten or dislodged. The instrumentation and style evoke deep cultural history and remembrance.

Sailors use shanties and soldiers use cadence calls to coordinate their movements and inspire their resolve. A protestor has the challenge of directing passion towards a productive end—to organize and to avoid chaos and rioting. The mathematical order of traditional meter and harmony encourages orderly, peaceful thinking. So a song of civil disobedience (*download) inspires thoughtful non-violent protest. Singing as an assembled group also shows unison in the cause. Even the most repressive governments cannot easily ban or ignore sound waves and the thoughts behind them. As Martin Luther says, “over the soul God can and will let no one rule but Himself.”

In particular, Christians have used hymns in civil disobedience throughout history, especially in governments hostile to the gospel. In the middle ages, Christians boldly sang religious folk songs (which grew out of lower-class piety) during the tightly-controlled Roman Catholic masses. Similarly did J.R.R. Tolkien loudly chant the Latin during mass to protest the innovation of the English version.

The first Protestants raised songs of Luther like “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” as anthems for reformation. Even in the face of great loss they bravely proclaimed, “And take they our life, goods, Fame, child and wife, Let these all be gone, They yet have nothing won; The kingdom ours remaineth.” Jan Hus achieved martyrdom with the chanted “Kyrie” on his lips. American churches now regularly sing hymns that began in protest (especially African American spiritual songs such as “Lift Every Voice and Sing”). Last year, the Hong Kong protestors used the praise song “Hallelujah to the Lord” as a song of civil disobedience.

God calls us to sing—especially under authority unjustly exercised. Singing is our response to the gospel of the free forgiveness of sins for Christ’s sake to all who believe (1 Pet. 2:9). We encourage one another in the assembly with hymns, bringing light and joy into hearts under the shadow of danger and despair (Rom. 15:9-11; Col. [3:16]). In particular, Psalm 146:1-3 contrasts hymn-singing with putting our faith in government:

Praise ye the Lord. Praise the Lord, O my soul.
While I live will I praise the Lord: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.
Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.

Christians tyrannized by the authorities spread the faith through singing. Beaten, imprisoned and shackled, Paul and Silas prayed and sang so loudly that the other prisoners could hear (Ac. [16:25]). Jesus even personally sings in the church (look up Hebrews [2:12]!). Hebrews 13 gives musical marching orders, which apply to us now more than ever. We must let love abound (v. 1), show hospitality (v. 2), identify with the persecuted (v. 3), obey God’s commands (vv. 4-5), embrace tradition (vv. 7-9), celebrate the sacrament of the altar regardless of who tells us not to (vv. 10-14), and sing! (v. 15) since we ourselves are sacrifices of thanksgiving (v. 16). As we submit and pray in all things (v. 17-19) God is always with us (vv. 20-25): “I will not fear what man shall do unto me” (v. 6). Let us give praise to God and not to any man.

The municipalities explain their prohibitions on singing with epidemiological concerns. Indeed, out of respect for the health of our fellow man we may take reasonable precautions, such as spacing and masks. The scientific studies are undecided on whether singing spreads coronavirus or does not. The difference may lie in whether people sing congregationally or performatively, such as in a choir. It defies explanation how families scattered throughout the pews of a large open nave suddenly become a threat to community health when they open their mouths to sing a hymn.

Many hymns remind us that there is only one Supreme Ruler, who commands the faith and obedience of every man and who is coming soon to judge the nations. The Holy Spirit has inspired men to fuse impassioned music with spiritual truth, especially to encourage us in difficult times. Hymns lift us up into the glorious narrative of Christ’s love and power, reducing any authoritarianism to a laughable misfire (Ps. 2). Hear the Christ-like submission and bold proclamation in verses 4-5 of “Alleluia! Sing to Jesus” and consider singing this or another hymn in church, no matter what others say:

Alleluia! King eternal,
Lord omnipotent we own;
Alleluia! Born of Mary,
Earth Your footstool, heav’n Your throne.
As within the veil You entered,
Robed in flesh, our great High Priest,
Here on earth both priest and victim
In the Eucharistic feast.

Alleluia! Sing to Jesus;
His the scepter, His the throne;
Alleluia! His the triumph,
His the victory alone.
Hark! The songs of peaceful Zion
Thunder like a mighty flood:
“Jesus out of ev’ry nation
Has redeemed us by His blood.”

Written by John Hutchins
Originally published Benrcrenshaw.com