Nicene Creed

Arrangement of the Nicene Creed from a 1960s Folk Mass

[cedk]

Born in 1962, I've been an Evangelical/Charismatic Protestant (though Catholic friendly) since 1970, and finally swam the Tiber this Easter. I grew up with 1970s Christian rock, CCM, and Praise/Worship music, but a lot of the Folk/Rock Mass music kinda bypassed me. Ironically, I just attended a full old-time Latin Mass last Sunday, and have been looking for different musical arrangements of parts of the Mass- so here I am. And I do like this!

[johannarice]

I'm 68. Around 1966 or 1967, our area Episcopal Young Churchmen were introduced to this folk mass service. It was magical in how it captured hearts and imagination. The music has remained with me all these years, but unfortunately, I was unable to locate a recording, until now. Thanks so much! Now I can share this with others who might carry the torch to the next generation. There were other tunes for standard recitations--the Lord's Prayer and hymns with a modern twist, for instance. If anyone knows where I can locate other recordings, please let me know.

[hanemcm]

This is WONDERFUL!!! I can't believe I found this. I sang this in my church choir when I was young - in the late 60's. Now I sing in our choir...about 50 years later - and I've been wanting to suggest this to our choir director, but never knew how to find it. Thank you so much for publishing this!

[msn]

I remember an "Our Father" Folk/Rick in radio. But never hear it anymore.

[anthonyravenda]

Wonderful tribute from young people and pretty rare for the 70's I might imagine. Your arrangement is full of spirit and I enjoyed listening to it very much. I have always been a big fan of this style of singing although I don't have the voice to sing with such precision. Is this the only song you have left to post? I'd love to hear more. God bless you.

[johannarice]

I have been trying for years to locate the folk mass from which this Nicene Creed was sung. Can you send me a link to the rest of this folk mass?

[lynnvogel]

Actually, historically the Christian mass has many components, some sacrificial, as you note, when receiving the bread and wine as symbolic of the body and blood of Christ, but others certainly celebratory. The Nicene Creed, an affirmation of the Christian faith originating in the 4th century, is used in virtually all Christian churches today, and not just in Catholic mass. Christians celebrate "one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, not made". The Nicene Creed affirms the life of Jesus, from birth through His crucifixion and Resurrection. Who as Christians would not celebrate with these words: "On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living (sic, also "quick") and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end." While I arranged this version for four voices and two guitars, the original tune (if I recall correctly--its been almost 60 years!)) was composed by a Catholic nun, intent on celebrating and affirming the life of Christ through this creed. To my knowledge, this song was never included in a Broadway musical, although the Summertime Singers version shared here was included in a worship service at St. Paul's Methodist Church in Cedar Rapids, IA, at the time of the recording.

[krisztiankelemen]

Sounds good, but his place is outside the Liturgy. The best music for liturgy is sacred music, which unfortunately is disappearing.

[Maggiolone]

Methodist services aren't Masses.

[saddomd]

To each his own I guess, I find folk style so banal