Help me find some Christian songs/hymns

[xekomaya]

I'm hoping you all have suggestions. I want to put together a long list of easily sung Christian songs and hymns - ones that flow easily without music. The ultimate goal of this is distraction during labor & birth so I'm looking for ones that are generally positive.

So far, the best example song I'm coming up with is They'll Know We Are Christians By Our Love. -- keeps its tune easily and has sort of haunting fall back that makes it emotionally significant. Does that many any sense?

Any ideas are appreciated!

[Nazsmum]

WOW! Something to sing well in labor? I'm going to think more about this but a song that I love without to many words in The Trees of the Field.

Maybe have a tape that you can listen to also.

I'm going to keep thinking about this one.

[BetsyS]

Do you have favorites already?

When I was pregnant with #1, I listened to the Gaither album, Church in the Wildwood. http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/...shed+Hymns.htm

A little cheesy, but very easily singable, and there are 21 of the hymns on the album. I listened to it while I was pregnant, and I was familiar with the songs. Then, in labor, they really helped.

I also really like the hymn Wonderful Peace, but it has special memories for me (I walked down the aisle to it). I also like rousing bluegrass tunes (LOL), so I liked some of Ricky Skagg's stuff. He has a true bluegrass gospel album, Soldier of the cross, and then, a joint album with the Whites that is more singable, Salt of the Earth. You have to like bluegrass, though.

[cappuccinosmom]

Amazing grace. My toddlers learned that very easily. When my youngest was a nursling he would hum it while breastfeeding.

I think most of the older hymns are easily singable once you know the words. The tune remains the same and the rhythm is set.

A couple of contemporary ones though, that would be good are "Untitled Hymn" (and the lyrics are "progressive" in nature so easy to remember, and there's a simple chorus after each verse) and "Blessed be Your Name" (possibly the most comforting song I've every run across). That one actually has a line in it that I could so connect with labor, especially difficult labor.

[cappuccinosmom]

There are also many versions of Psalm 121 (I lift my eyes up...My help comes from the Lord). Some more singable than others. But if you search youtube you'll come up with a bunch.

[hibana]

How about Be Thou My Vision?

Huh, Wikipedia tells me that it has five verses. I've only ever seen 1, 2 & 5 in a hymnal.

[ursusarctos]

I don't know many hymns but this one is my favorite and very easy to learn and sing (I sing it while I'm hanging laundry ).

Down in the River to Pray
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1FQqSGxBso

[JMJ]

"Peace is Flowing Like a River"
anything based on the Magnificat
"I Have Decided to Follow Jesus"
"Prayer of St. Francis"
"Ode to Joy"
"Seek Ye First"
"Psalm118: This is the Day"
"Lord of all Hopefulness"
any religious children's songs you know
Check out Songs and Prayers From Taize. It has some great medative Christian music. The chants are just a few lines long, and you sing them over and over again as long as you like.