Erik Routley (1917–1982)

In many ways, a curious book. For one thing, the title is taken from a hymn by Isaac Watts, who is -not- included in the volume! For another thing, the author seems rather antipathetic to some of his subjects at times (for example, he goes to great lengths to point out what he perceives to be the inimical effects of John Newton's Calvinism on his friend William Cowper, and he seems especially critical of Philip Doddridge's poetic gifts). On the other hand, one sometimes wishes he would not show more assume so much on the part of his readers. Times (and hymnal tastes) have changed, and his allusions are not always clear, his quotations sometimes too allusive to be entirely useful. (Interestingly enough, the section on John Newton does not mention 'Amazing Grace' at all, and, to judge from 'Trinity Hymnal,' at least, Toplady is hardly a "minor" hymn-writer.) -- Still a useful and interesting volume and one from which I learned a great deal. show less

The Reformed Church in American published this work. Hymns follow the canonical; order of the Bible. Eric Routly is the editor and has a 4 page introduction., in which he discuses the poetry, the music the choice of old vs new materials. He claims it is theology for none theologians, poetry for non literary people and lyric Illumination. He emphasizes that the hymns have all the stanza (so the congregation can omit what they don’t want), notes they have used neutral pronouns in most case show more for artistic reasons and that hymn were chosen with congregations singing in mind. (Tune should be learnable with 2-3 repetitions, ordinary congregants should be able to anticipate the next notes. Part one: The God of Abraham Praise. part two: Behold the Lamb of god. Part three: Spiriti of Truth. The Hope of Glory.There are624 hymns, Order of Worship and Psalm for responsive reading. Indexes are Topical, Hymns with descants, Scriptural Allusion, Authors,Translators, Sources, Composers and Arrangers, Arrangements by Erik Routly, Tunes alphabetical and metrical, First Lines. Permissions. show less

The preface notes the contributions of Eric Routly, shortly after which “he was called home”. The hymns are based on the canonical orderof the Bible. The Editor’s introduction states that the book is patterned after Charles Wesleys instructions about what makes a good hymn book. The hope is that people will find it will provide theology for no theologians, poetry for the non literary and “lyric illumination of the Christian way”. Mr. Routly expands his explanations of the the show more choice of hymns with specific commentary about poetry, music and “New and the Old”.
624 hymns. Indexes: Topical; descants; Scriptural; Authors, translators and sources; Composers, arrangers and source of tune: show less

Very good section on pop music in the Christian church.