Introducing... Hymnody!
Hymnary's secret & inferior cousin... for now
Here might I stay and sing; no story so divine!
Never was love, dear King, never was grief like Thine.
This is my Friend, in whose sweet praise I all my days could gladly spend!
Verse 7 | My Song Is Love Unknown
Not Hymnary!
Nor is it a wikipedia for hymns. Hymnody provides resources, insights, and thoughts on the hymns of the Church from the past 2,000 years. It is penned by me, Enoch Fandrich; a Lutheran organist (and pianist) from country New South Wales.
A Long Labour of Love
Hymnody started 3 years ago with the aim to “encourage a richer love of singing in the parish”, as I put it then. Throughout its progression, this has remained the core tenant of this work.
Educational and thought-provoking, Hymnody is first and foremost a bulletin resource; a single-page dive into a hymn being sung on that Sunday. It covers the specifics and history of the hymn and its tune, before taking an exegetical look at the lyrics. This is the resource that puzzles over the curious tune name REDHEAD 46 and meditates on the rich imagery of My Song Is Love Unknown.
On this site I hope to deliver and expand this basic structure while also sharing Hymnody with a wider audience.
Expectations
My expectations for Hymnody are high; you, the reader, should keep your expectations low. I hope to publish an edition each week, ideally on Thursdays, just in time to be included in a Church bulletin. However, with my brutal schedule, this may not always eventuate.
Nevertheless, the first edition here will be published this Thursday, in time for the First Sunday of Advent.
Soli Deo Gloria
These three words remain the watchword of Church musicians as they guide the Church in its liturgy and its singing to God. I pray that this resource is of help to musicians, pastors, and laypeople alike. Share Hymnody with your Church and feel free to include it in your bulletin!
So please subscribe, and dive into hymnody with Hymnody!