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--Isaac
Watts, 1719 (words)
--William
Croft, 1708 (music)
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English
hymns of the 18th century exemplify the cultural, literary,
and religious spirit of the age. Their prevalence among groups within
the Anglican communion--in the Methodist Societies, for example--paralleled
an eventual Dissension from the Mother Church. Within bodies of non-Conforming
worshipers, hymn-singing was a marker of theological heritage: General
Baptists and Quakers deplored all congregational singing; other Dissenters
sometimes held fast to the older metrical psalms; and even the Pietist-influenced
John Wesley expressed an aversion to hymns within the formal liturgy
of a service.
It's easy to track hymns' growing importance throughout the period. Less obvious, and perhaps more revealing, is how hymns functioned in various ways: as instruments of instruction, particularly of children; as statements on the theological currents of the time; and as an efficient means of religious propagation. The sheer longevity of hymns--many continue to be sung in worship services of the Protestant denominations--speaks to their continuing relevance. It's significant that, among all the literary and religious productions of a highly productive age, 18th-century hymnody still has an important place in the popular culture. You'll
find extensive collections of midi hymtunes and their associated lyrics
on the Links page. Note that there are links interspersed throughout--for
example, to your left as "Our God, Our Help in Ages Past"--that aren't
linked to other pages. I hope you'll enjoy wending your way through
the site. Comments and suggestions
are welcome. Jorge Luis González
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