Hymns - The Voice of the People
Hymns are the true voice of the people in church--music sung with joy and enthusiasm by all the people and not dependent on choirs alone. The development of the hymn began with early songs to the Virgin Mary in medieval times, known as laudi spirituali, and continued by St. Francis, who was known as God's Troubadour. His most famous hymn, which we sing today in its modern version, is "All Creatures of Our God and King".
The Reformation was instrumental in the development of congregational song. Hymns known as chorales appeared in Germany and Scandinavia, receiving their impetus from the thought and work of Martin Luther. In early 18th century New England the Singing School arose as a reform movement. Harvard educated ministers sought to improve what they regarded as poor congregational singing by teaching their people to read music instead of singing by ear. Hymn books of this time had only the words of hymns with no tunes attached to them. By the late 18th century, tunebooks were published with both music and verse.
The earliest hymn tune in America, in common use today, is Coronation--"All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name". Every hymn has a tune name and many hymns have more than one tune to which they can be sung. Tune names are listed at the bottom of each hymn in the hymnal, and are also listed in the bulletin opposite the hymn number. In the singing school tradition, male tenors had the melody; now that melody is in the soprano--which is the tune we now all sing!
Over a thousand years of hymn singing can't be covered in a few paragraphs. Each hymn has a rich history of its own--tunes borrowed from secular music such as love songs and drinking songs, and tunes specifically composed for the poetry of the hymn. We have our favorites, and we love them!
Lynn Gardner, Organist/Choirmaster
St. Christopher's Choir rehearses at 7 on Thursday evenings. No experience is necessary, please join us as we make a joyful noise unto the Lord!
