Hymnody Revisited
Last month I talked about the development of hymnody and its importance in bringing people into the church service as participants, rather than observers. It was vitally important that people become a part of the service, but it was also expected that the people strive for excellence in their singing. John Wesley, in his publication “Select Hymns“ of 1761, included at the beginning, a list of seven points he called directions for singing. This list is still found at the beginning of the modern Methodist hymnal. They are good points and we should all take them to heart!
Directions for Singing
1. Learn these tunes before you learn any others; afterwards learn as many as you please.
2. Sing them exactly as they are printed here, without altering or mending them at all; and if you have learned to sing them otherwise, unlearn it as soon as you can.
3. Sing all. See that you join with the congregation as frequently as you can. Let not a slight degree of weakness or weariness hinder you. If it is a cross to you, take it up, and you will find it a blessing.
4. Sing lustily and with a good courage. Beware of singing as if you were half dead, or half asleep; but lift up your voice with strength. Be no more afraid of your voice now, nor more ashamed of its being heard, than when you sang the songs of Satan.
5. Sing modestly. Do not bawl, so as to be heard above or distinct from the rest of the congregation, that you may not destroy the harmony; but strive to unite your voices together, so as to make one clear melodious sound.
6. Sing in time. Whatever time is sung be sure to keep with it. Do not run before nor stay behind it; but attend close to the leading voices, and move therewith exactly as you can; and take care not to sing too slow. This drawling way naturally steals on all who are lazy; and it is high time to drive it out from us, and sing all our tunes just as quick as we did at first.
7. Above all sing spiritually. Have an eye to God in every word you sing. Aim at pleasing him more than yourself, or any other creature. In order to do this attend strictly to the sense of what you sing, and see that your heart is not carried away with the sound, but offered to God continually; so shall your singing be such as the Lord will appreciate here, and reward you when he comes in the clouds of heaven.
The choir rehearses on Thursday evenings at 7PM. Join us, no experience is necessary.
Lynn Gardner, Organist/Choirmaster
