Posted on 04/17/2006 1:04:41 PM PDT by sionnsar
[All, this is the third part of a series on the 1940 Hymnal that is being published in The Mandate. These are being published online as PDFs which have to be downloaded -- but I am finding the series (whih I am told will have 6 parts) quite interesting. I commend them to you as published thus far. The Hymnal 1940: An Introduction, Part 1a and Part 1b --sionnsar]
The Hymnal 1940: Sanctifying Time, Part 2
Bread of the World, Wine of the Soul, Part 3.
Traditional Anglican ping, continued in memory of its founder Arlin Adams. I learned to sing from the 1940 Hymnal, and I miss it. However, the 1982 Hymnal isn't a travesty in the way the 1979 Book of Common Prayer is. At least they kept "thee" and "thy" in traditional hymns.
I have a copy of the 1940 Hymnal. My mother used it when she sang soprano in the choir at St. John's Episcopal in Franklin, Mass. It sits next to my BCP and the rest of the music I have in my stall in the choir at St. Helena's in Burr Ridge, where I sing tenor. Sometimes I open it up and look at her signature inside the front cover. Her handwriting then was like engraving - she has Parkinson's now and can barely write.
We still use the 1940 Hymnal. What surprised me recently was to learn that the hymns don't end at #600. In more recent printings there is another section with hymns following the supplemental service material, up in the 700s.
Mine has a supplement from the 1960's, I think. I'll have to look in it and see what the numbers are.
In the very back there are note pages. In most books these are blank, but in this they are ruled with music staffs. I can just see a choir copying down some music that a choir director had written up on a chalk board. There was no such thing as copy machines in 1940.
There are some wonderful hymns in the "Post 600" section of newer printings (post 1970 I think). Examples: "Christ is Made the Sure Foundation" (Westminster Abbey by Henry Purcell), "Rejoice Ye Pure in Heart" (Vineyard Haven by Richard Dirksen). They also include some interesting examples of American Southern Harmony hymns like Wondrous Love (w/shape notes!).
Note also the Benedictus qui venit to the Holy Communion Services of Merbecke and Willan.
I believe the mimeograph already existed...
Oh, I remember the mimeograph. Loved to whiff the fresh copies of a test as our teacher passed out the copies. But that was a lot less convenient than copy machines.
I will be offering prayers for your mother tonight as I hit the pillow.
Bless you for being a good son.
Thank you. I've been doing some praying myself for her and Dad.
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