Love at Home

Every year on Mothers' Day our ward gives all of the women the day off from their callings. Because of this, I usually spend some time in primary trying to figure out how children work, and, since I'm the only man that plays the organ in the ward, I always play the organ for sacrament meeting. For some reason we always sing the same opening and closing songs: Home Can Be a Heaven on Earth, and Love at Home.

The bad news is that Love at Home is one of my least favorite hymns in the hymn book. Sure, it has a great message, but it is usually abused. People use it to reprimand others for not acting they way they think they should, and it is usually sung slower than the low end tempo recommended in the hymn book. The worst part is the last half of the song. Those long notes can really just drag. Did you know there is not a single whole note in the entire song? Yet, for some reason, it is the only song that people actually sing an entire whole note. Even when it is written as a whole note in other songs, people always stop singing after 2 or 3 counts, but not on this one.

The good news? As long as it is considered a Mothers' Day song, we will most likely only sing it once a year. Also, as many of you know, the organist is completely in control of the tempo of congregational singing. Some say it's the chorister, but that's only if the organist follows the chorister. The congregation isn't going to fight against the organ no matter what the chorister's arm is doing. I always play the song close to the upper end of the listed tempo range, and if the chorister tries to slow it down, I keep going until I've established how stubborn I'm going to be about the whole thing. I'm not going too fast according to the listed tempo. I'm simply playing the song as it is supposed to be played. I feel I'm much better off than when it is played slower than the listed, low-end tempo. While rests are important in every song, they are crucial in this song. That's one of the things that makes the song drag. I observe all dotted half-notes and quarter rests. After the first few times of singing without the organ, people get the hint and stop singing whole notes.

I have found that, by doing this, I am no longer bothered by this song. Instead of focusing on the pain of music-induced lethargy, I can actually think about the message of the song and recognize the importance of it. I agree with and believe the message shared in this song, and I'm thankful I've been able to see it. I'm still not to the point that a slow or reprimanding rendition of the song won't override my focus on the message, but I'm honestly working on it.

I apologize to anyone in my ward that might think I'm rushing a beautiful song, but I really can't handle it any other way. I assure you I'm still not going as far as I would like to. Did you know this song is extremely beautiful in a minor key? I don't think I'll be doing that one in sacrament meeting, but I recommend trying it out. I think you'll be surprised how great it is.