18th-Century Hymnody
       

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      "Our God, Our Help in Ages Past"
      --Isaac Watts, 1719 (words)
      --William Croft, 1708 (music)
      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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