A hymn is a song
specifically written as a
song of
praise, adoration or prayer,
typically addressed to God.
A writer of hymns is known as a
hymnist or hymnodist, and the
process of singing a hymn is called hymnody; the same word
is used for the collectivity of hymns belonging to a particular
denomination or period (e.g. "nineteenth century Methodist hymnody"
would mean the body of hymns written and/or used by Methodists in the
nineteenth century). Books called
hymnals
are collections of hymns, which may or may not include music.
Ancient hymns include the
Great Hymn to the Aten, composed by the
pharaoh
Akhenaten, and the
Vedas, a
collection of hymns in the tradition of
Hinduism. The Western tradition of hymnody begins with
Homer,
who is given credit for the
Homeric Hymns in praise of the gods of
Greek mythology.
Christian tradition
In
Christian
religions, hymns are usually directed toward
God, or, in
Catholicism and other denominations, also to
Mary and
sometimes to other
Saints.
Most Christian worship services have, since the earliest times,
incorporated the singing of hymns, either by the congregation or by a
selected
choir, often accompanied by an
organ.
Thomas Aquinas, in the
introduction to his commentary on the Psalms, defined the Christian
hymn thus: "Hymnus est laus Dei cum cantico; canticum autem
exultatio mentis de aeternis habita, prorumpens in vocem." ("A
hymn is the praise of God with song; a song is the exultation of the
mind dwelling on eternal things, bursting forth in the voice.)
Since there is a lack of musical
notation in early writings, the actual musical forms in the early
church can only be surmised. During the Middle Ages a rich hymnody
developed in the form of
Gregorian chant or plainsong. This type was sung in unison,
usually in a minor key, and most often by monastic choirs. While they
were written originally in
Latin,
many have been translated. A familiar hymn of this type is the 13th
century plainsong Of the Father's Love Begotten, (although
the words date back to around the 4th century), that is a common part
of church Christmas repertoires in the English language.
The
Protestant Reformation produced a burst of hymn writing and
congregational singing.
Martin Luther is notable not only as a reformer, but as the
author of the hymn A Mighty Fortress Is Our God which is
sung today even in Roman Catholicism. The earlier English writers
tended to paraphrase bibical text, particularly
Psalms;
Isaac Watts followed this tradition, but is also credited as
having written the first English hymn which was not a direct
paraphrase of Scripture. Later writers took even more freedom, some
included
allegory and
metaphor in their texts. Four part harmony also became the norm,
rather than unison singing.
Charles Wesley's hymns
spread Methodist
theology, not only within Methodism, but in most Protesant
churches. He developed a new focus - expressing one's personal
feelings in the relationship with God as well as the simple worship
seen in older hymns. Wesley wrote:
- Where shall my
wondering soul begin?
- How shall I all to
heaven aspire?
- A slave redeemed from
death and sin,
- A brand plucked from
eternal fire,
- How shall I equal
triumphs raise,
- Or sing my great
deliverer's praise.
Wesley's contribution, along with
the
Second Great Awakening in
America led to a new style called gospel, and a new explosion of
sacred music writing with
Fanny Crosby,
Ira Sankey, and others who produced testamonial music for
revivals, camp meetings and evangelistic crusades.
African-Americans developed
a rich hymnody from
spirituals during times of slavery to the modern, lively black
gospel style.
Some Christians today are using
Christian lyrics in the
rock music style although this often leads to some controversy
between older and younger congregants. This is not new; the Christian
pop music style began in the late 1960s and became very popular
during the 1970s, as young hymnists sought ways in which to make the
music of their religion relevant for their generation.
This long tradition has resulted in
a rich lode of hymns. Some modern churches include within hymnody,
the traditional hymn (usually addressed to God), praise choruses
(often sung scripture texts) and gospel (expressions of one's
personal experience of God). This distinction is not perfectly clear;
and purists remove the second two types from the classification as
hymns. It is a matter of debate, even sometimes within a single
congregation, often between revivalist and traditionalist movements.
Some Christian hymnists and their
more well known hymns are:
Christian hymns were traditionally
written in four-part vocal harmony. Today, except for choirs and more
musically inclined congregations, hymns are typically sung in unison.
In some cases complementary full settings for organ are also
published, in others, organists and other accompiansts are expected
to mentally transcribe the four-part vocal score for their instrument
of choice.
Samples
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