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Though I am not a good singer, I love to sing. On the one hand, I'll sing almost anything; my affection for a wide array of pop music is well known (and perhaps derided). On the other, the great hymns of the faith* are often on my lips and heart. One such hymn is "Rock of Ages." The tune of this hymn has been quite varied since its intitial composition a bajillion years ago, but the tune I learned (linked above) through Reformed University Fellowship I'll call "the RUF melody." Whether or not they had anything to do with it. In any case, this particular iteration never fails to sink deep into my soul. I saw an episode of "Little House on the Prairie" where Mr. Ingalls (Michael Landon) sings this at church (and disturbingly low-church it was, BTW), and I have to say, I hated its whole musicality. That original melody sounds like we walked into a saloon. Will I turn to my right and see Yosemite Sam? Just for fun, take the words out. Saloon, right? And not that I dislike saloons. ["A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" was a drinking song.--ed.] I'll drink to that song! In any case, I had trouble finding that first version, but it's definitely the best. This performance has a few mistakes, and surely too many flourishes to sing along with, but I love it.

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Timothy R. Butler said…
I was only introduced to your "RUF melody" in recent times -- either at Covenant's chapel or at Grace, I'm not sure where I heard it first. The latter version is the one I grew up with and is the one I've typically heard it associated with. I think I may have to agree with you on this one.

Of course, I'll take "A Mighty Fortress" over "Rock of Ages" any day.
9:29 PM
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