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And now let's move into a time of nonsense

Knocking the music

AND NOW LET'S MOVE INTO A TIME OF NONSENSE
By Nick Page
Authentic. 122 pages. £6.99
ISBN 1 85078 584 8

This book provides an insightful and humorous critique of modern song-writing.

Nick Page puts into words what many of us know to be true about the lyrics of contemporary congregational songs. Too many are 'pop songs, where the lyric is secondary to the melody; where the emphasis is on provoking an emotional response rather than an intellectual one.'

Nick takes us back to examples of the finely-crafted hymns of the past and urges writers to regain the art of writing poetry that is as effective when read as when sung. He calls for Christian lyricists to come forward, rather than to rely on the present wave of singer-songwriters, who often lack gifts at writing lyrics.

I feel he is over-negative in his disregard for out-dated Bible language like 'sheep' and 'Lamb'. This seems to be an issue of personal taste than anything else. (Songs aren't 'ancient texts, they are the children of our culture and time. So why clothe them in antique costume? I'd rather have a modern painting than a copy of an Old Master. I'd rather have genuine new furniture than reproductions'.) Many would differ. Having said that, the book is very well balanced in encouraging the rediscovery of past techniques while pressing today's lyricists to use language that engages today's culture.

The book is a very easy read, provocative and well-informed. As such, it should knock some of the complacency out of those of us who profess to be song-writers.

Nick is slightly let down by his publisher, who put the killer phrase 'laugh-out-loud funny' on the back. Whenever I see that, I may smile or snort lightly (which I did), but I'm always grimly determined not to laugh out loud.

Richard Simpkin