The answer
It is important to decipher which hymns adhere best to our Coptic Orthodox identity and doctrine before sharing the music with impressionable children and youth. Music is a form of praise for the purpose of worshiping God. Music also targets the emotions. Be careful to not confuse your personal cultural upbringing with those born and raised outside of Egypt. The same way that you have fond memories that ascribe significant spiritual meaning to the hymns that are familiar to you, the children and youth need to have the same opportunity so to be inspired by spiritual songs within their own western cultures, but yet, still fit into their Coptic identity. New generations are turned off by just literal translations. There are many hymns that are very beautiful and in no way contradict our beliefs and dogma. Choose carefully and remind the children that singing spiritual hymns is done with joy and reverence, but we do not dance, waive our arms in the air, nor clap as they may see others do in different churches. This is not just to teach them to be merely judgmental, but rather, they ought to be respectful to different practices, but keenly observant, and foremost, confident in their own heritage and value the teachings of our church. Thus, we must educate them on what to sing and how to sing. May the Lord provide talented servants to not only translate lyrics, but also to make them fit into a beautiful melody for the purpose of praising our God.Below are some links of English, Arabic, and Coptic hymns that are appropriate and useful for teaching children and youth.
http://www.suscopts.org/children-corner/EnglishSongsA.html
http://www.suscopts.org/children-corner/ArabicSongs.html
http://www.coptichymnsinenglish.com/selah/
http://www.orthodoxsongs.org/modules/spiritualsongs/
Answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab)