The Music Of Christian Hymns

Hymns are arranged by topic, with generous cross-referencing for hymns with available alternate tunes, hymns with similar meter, or locations of the same hymn tune in an alternate key. Includes responsive readings, an index of songs taken from scripture and a comprehensive topical index.

This book discusses hymns from a historical and geographical perspective with 605 hymn tunes as examples in the text.

While there have been a number of books concerned with the hymns of the Christian church, there are not many that combine real originality with intellectual integrity. Yet it is exactly this combination that makes Christian Hymns Observed, Erik Routley's final statement on Christian hymnody, such a valuable addition to the literature. Simply because he studied the subject for fifty years, he could open the book with the statement "hymns are delightful and dangerous things," and then close it with these words: "But where a hymn in a service of worship beckons to the worshiper at his or her best and causes that worshiper to feel or say, 'That is what I wanted to say, but I am grateful to whoever put the words in my mouth,' then it has done its work." Erik Routley has indeed done his work. This short book will be cherished for years to come by those who want a fresh and yet comprehensive approach to the subject of Christian hymnody. - Foreword.

Providing literary analysis and historical background, Leland Ryken invites us to experience great hymns as powerful works of devotional poetrysavoring elements that we easily miss when singing them.

"No attempt has been made to present a critical study of Frances Jane Crosby, but simply to retell the life of the Sightless Singer as she, herself, told it to me on various occasions when visiting my home" - p. 11.

Battle Hymns