Minor Music

“But none saith, Where is God my maker, who giveth songs in the night.” - Job 35:10

I have a confession to make. For a long time, I was not a huge fan of songs written in minor music. These songs have a very sad tune that is usually married to very gloomy or tragic lyrics. Songs in minor music are more difficult to sing and are often appropriate only in certain occasions.

I have changed my tune somewhat about minor music (pun intended). While I still prefer songs in major music, I realize that there are songs that have a poignant message that can only be properly interpreted through minor music.

For me, the change began in 1982. As a fan of four-part harmony, I always loved the sound of Southern Gospel quartets. In 1982, the top quartet in Southern Gospel Music was the Cathedrals. By and large, they remained the top quartet until the group disbanded in 1999. In 1982, they recorded a classic album entitled, LIVE IN ATLANTA. In spite of the fact the song was never a radio single, the best song on the album was a Dianne Wilkinson song, “We Shall See Jesus.” If you've never heard the song, do yourself a favor and research this song and listen to it on Youtube.

The song is in major music except for the second verse. This verse was recorded in minor music. The second verse depicts the solemn event of the crucifixion. The song then transitions back to major music for the third verse, which is the resurrection verse.

I don't think the second verse of that song would have had nearly the impact it did without minor music. In her book, Dianne Wilkinson would later reveal that she did not write the song with minor music for the second verse. This was added by the Cathedrals. However she felt that the change was a great modification to her original song. I agree.

Life is much like music. It would be great if every day was like music written in major music, upbeat and positive. It just isn't that way, is it? Some may argue that the entire year of 2020 has been in minor music. The sadness and heartbreak of the year have many of us singing the blues. We long for 2021 to be in major music again.

What would music be without minor chords or minor music? It would severely limit our musical options. Minor music is important, sometimes even vital.

We need days of minor music. Bittersweet days will come our way. Sadness and regrets force us to dig deep in life for vitality and hope. Without days of minor music, we would not appreciate major music nearly as much. The days of minor music force us to be more contemplative and prayerful. We seek God more through the notes of minor music. When life transitions back to major music, it should sharpen our gratitude. We find our praise is more refined.

Perhaps you are down right now. Maybe you've lost a job or had to say goodbye to a loved one. These are days of minor music for you. During these night seasons, we struggle to find our song. Expressing a song during the dark days of life requires spiritual maturity. Yet the One who gives songs in the night is worthy to receive such songs from our lips.

God is praised through the minor music as well as the major. He is worthy of our praise whether our heart is overflowing with a long list of major-key songs or whether we simply sing a simple tune in minor music from the ashes of our despair.

The temptation is to quit singing when the days are difficult or heartbreaking. Minor music is difficult to sing or perform. During these days it requires diligence and determination to sing once again.

May we never lose sight of the fact that God has given us music for our days. We don't sing and perform only when circumstances are good. God gives us songs in the night so we may sing them for His glory.

We express our praise to an audience of One. He is good whether our circumstances are good or not.