But I’m like Hunter in that the words are less specific to the time, and more universal than expected. Although I am still having visions of young children with red neckerchiefs standing in rows and singing this for Brigham Young or John Taylor.

Interesting find.

Finding more suitable music FAIL.

And Hunter, don’t worry so much about not loving every scrap from the past that I choose to post! It’s okay not to like something! (I do appreciate the explanation of why the music doesn’t work so well rather than just a “that stinks” kind of comment. You bring into focus what was for me just a vague feeling of “that doesn’t quite work.”)

The music, on the other hand, is a little dated. It uses the unfortunate, and now cliched, oom-pa-pa, oom-pa-pa to accompany this dignified text. Also, the melody partakes a little too much (for my taste) in the slip-sliding of chromatic passing tones (e.g., measure 6 “who is wise,” and measure 10 “we have”).

I suppose this could be a metaphor for the United Order itself: the sentiment behind the program was dignified and ennobling; the actual physical lay out and setting forth of the program, not so successful and lasting.

The music, not so much.