Favourite Hymns: 2000 Years Of Magnificat - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0826477232 ISBN 13: 9780826477231

Publisher: Continuum Intl Pub Group, 2004

Synopsis

Many hymns are great poems in their own right - they take us out of the daily round by expressing in images those feelings or thoughts which most of us find hard to put into words. Hymns are powerful communicators. Most spring from a deep personal experience, but it is of their essence that they should be shared in a communal act. Therefore, to know a little of the personal and cultural context from which they spring greatly enriches what is communicated in the act of congregational singing.

It is with this in mind that Marjorie Reeves and Jenyth Worsley have brought together a unique collection of songs of worship that come from all ages and traditions. There are over 80 of the best-loved hymns, ranging from the early centuries of Christianity through the Middle Ages and on to the present day. Each hymn is presented with an illuminating profile of the hymn's author and the context in which it was written.

About this title

About the Author

Marjorie Reeves was Vice-Principal of St. Anne's College, Oxford, from 1950 to 1972. She is Honorary Fellow of St. Hugh's College and St. Anne's College, Oxford.Jenyth Worsley was a producer in BBC radio. She has written features for radio and has directed plays for the theatre.

Review

Reviewed in: Church Times, 16 February 2001Highlights: "...reflects scholarly tastes and values without being in the least dry...this is a study aimed not primarily at the hymnologist, but at the ordinary churchgoer, for whom it would make a thoughtful gift, and a sound introduction to one period in the history of hymns and spiritual songs and their writers."

Reviewed in: The Tablet, 14 April 2001
Highlights: "A fitting amount of space is devoted to the great hymn-writing trio of women: Christina Rossetti, Mrs. C.F. Alexander, and Eleanor Farjeon. Catholics will be no less pleased to find all three of Newman's best-known hymns as well as nearly two pages on his life and work. Faber, too, is well-treated, and there is an excellent and informative paragraph on Edward Caswall, translator of Latin hymns..."
"Favourite Hymns is a wonderful book. The authors' scholarship is informed by faith and deep understanding . . . Dr Reeves taught me history at Oxford. I have never forgotten her greeting: 'Welcome to the first day of your search for truth.' Her latest book should be a best-seller, because we all deserve to know the truth about hymns." —Spectator, 30 March 2002

Edition details

• Publisher: Continuum Intl Pub Group
• Publication date: 2004
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0826477232
• ISBN 13: 9780826477231
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 226
• Editor: Reeves Marjorie, Worsley Jenyth