Companion To Baptist Hymnal

"The publication of Baptist Hymnal 1975 has already modified the musical life of Southern Baptist churches. While conserving the hymns and gospel songs that Baptists have long loved, it has substantially increased the breadth of their hymnody. It is perhaps the first major denominational hymnal to reflect the new folk-gospel hymnody that is dynamically emerging today in American Christianity. It also draws, however, on great hymnic traditions of the past, especially those of England and Germany. It thus is a surprisingly universal collection of Christian song. It is this exciting book, developed under the editorial leadership of William J. Reynolds, which is the basis for Companion to Baptist Hymnal. The companion contains background information about the content of the hymnal--when and where texts and tunes were written, who authors and composers are, and some fascinating facts about why texts were written and how they have affected Christian life. Much of the panorama of Christian history is reflected in these pages, from the devotion of medieval monastics to the stirring lives of reformers and revivalists. Every reader who would understand Christianity stands to learn from these pages. Leaders of Christian worship, in particular, need the depth of background information that is provided here. Ministers and congregational music leaders can gain new understanding of, and appreciation for, the rich treasury of devotion that is contained in the hymnal. People who are interested in the study of Christian hymnody will find information here about recent hymns that has never been published before. Familiar material about older hymns is presented in clear and concise form. The first section of the book is arranged alphabetically by hymn text, with tunes discussed under related texts. The second section alphabetically lists authors and composers."--Dust jacket.

Baptists have a long and rich heritage of congregational song. The hymns Baptists have sung and the books from which they have sung them have been shaping forces for Baptist theology, worship, and piety. Baptist authors and composers have provided songs that have made an impact not only among Baptists in America but also across denominational and geographic lines. Congregational singing continues to be a key component of Baptist worship in the twenty-first century. Beginning with an overview of the British background, this book is a survey of the history of Baptist hymnody in America from Baptist beginnings in the New World to the present. Its intent is to help the reader better understand the background against which current Baptist congregational song practices operate. Unlike earlier writings on the subject, this book provides both comprehensive coverage and a continuous narrative. It gives thorough attention to the major Baptist bodies in America as well as calling attention to the contributions of significant smaller groups. The British Baptist background is dealt with in an introductory section. The book also includes many texts and tunes as illustrations of the topics being discussed and focuses on some of the contributions of Baptist authors and composers to the repertory of congregational song. Book jacket.

The complete four-volume set includes major essays and relevant discussions of the musical forms in The Hymnal 1982 which cover such topics as popular religious song, cultural diversity, the relationship between The Hymnal 1982 and the liturgies of The Book of Common Prayer, the development of service music in the Episcopal Church, hymn forms, and a brief history of Christian hymnody in the United States and Britain. In addition, complete information is given on all hymns and service music which includes the sources of text and music as well as biographical and technical facts. (2,949 pp)