Episcopal Hymnal 1982 Red: Basic Singers Edition

The hymnal arrived promptly and was in new condition. I am completely satisfied with the price and the purchase.

Serves the purpose for which it was bought: our own copy in the home.

Most visitors and regular attenders of Episcopal services will find themselves juggling two books through the service -- the Book of Common Prayer, the standard bearer for Anglican liturgy and identity, and this book, the authorised Hymnal, last revised in 1982. Many denominations revise hymnals in each generation -- this one has served the church well in the past two decades, and is likely to serve for at least another decade, perhaps two. The previous Hymnal, produced in 1940, was greatly revised in the present volume; the classic English hymnal Hymns Ancient and Modern also plays a significant part in this hymnal. There are two primary sections to the hymnal -- service music (denoted by S--- numbers), and regular hymns. There are 288 pieces in the service music section (S1 - S288); these include Glorias, Te Deums, Fraction anthems, canticles, psalm tones, chant pieces, and more for all the major liturgies -- morning prayer, evening prayer, eucharistic services, and more. There are compositions by major composers past and present (Schubert, Willan, Sowerby, Rutter, etc.), as well as pieces of various chants (plainchant, Ambrosian, etc.) The hymns, 720 of them, are arranged first for the Daily Office use (1-46), hymns appropriate to seasons in the Church Year (Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Holy Week, Ascension, Pentecost, Saints days and other occasions -- hymn 47-293), hymns for particular liturgies (baptism, eucharist, confirmation, ordination, etc.) and then a long section of general hymns (362-634). These hymns are arranged by broad theological topic -- The Trinity, Praise to God, Jesus Christ, Church, Mission, etc. The hymn section concludes with rounds and canons and some general national songs. The collection of hymns is remarkable. There are hymns based upon scripture and psalms directly. There are hymns that come from the earliest centuries of the church, the medieval time, the Reformation, and all through the Anglican period proper. There is a generous collection of old standards and modern compositions, between Catholic standard-bearers and Evangelical and Protestant hymns. While some songs give only the melody line, this is in fact a rare thing; most include full-music scores, many even with a descant. The book is well indexed, with lists according to composer/arranger/source, author/translator, tune names, and first lines/titles. Also, the construction of the hymnal is fairly remarkable. There are nearly a thousand pages here, but the book is not a thick volume; the pages, on the other hand, are not the obnoxious onion-skin, but rather substantial pages that stand up to years of use by many hands, as a hymnal will be used. This hymnal is a remarkable treasure of hymns old and new, updated for modern times. It is the case that no hymnal satisfies all, even within particular denominations, and people grow remarkably attached to the hymnals with which they grew up; even with this being the case, this hymnal

This is the standard hymnal that Episcopalians use. This is the blue cloth edition, which probably graces the back of the average Episcopal Church pew. Inside this hymnal is a broad cross-section of traditional hymns, newer praise songs, and everything in-between. Many of the hymns are firmly placed within Catholic tradition, and were written by great theologians and hymn writers from ages past: Clement of Alexandria, Thomas Aquinas, St. Bernard, Francis of Assisi, and Martin Luther. There are also newer, more evangelical tunes. The variety demonstrates the varying beliefs within the church, but when these Catholic and Evangelical elements are combined, we have a substantial, yet living faith.Each hymn is grouped according to the church season, such as Advent and Easter. Also, there are hymns listed by various themes, such as hymns for our nation. In the front of the hymnal we have the chants and hymns that make up much of the liturgical experience: the Agnus Dei (lamb of God), the Kyrie, the Alleluia, The Lord's Prayer, the Gloria in excelsius, the Trisagion (Holy, Holy, Holy). The Hymnal 1982 also includes more hymns and anthems than these. Each musical liturgical element is offered in both Rite I (older music) and Rite II (a newer, updated sound).Overall, I cherish this hymnal. The music is always theologically deep and the songs are all well chosen. The songs are so varied that there is certainly an appropriate song available for each part of the service, and for different services entirely. For instance, once would choose a different hymn for a thanksgiving service, than for a service following a tragedy. For those who just want an excellent collection of deep and historic hymns, this book will work. For Episcopalians, this book has shaped, and will continue to shape, our community's worship of God.