A Functional Art by Timothy Dudley-Smith

Just out – the latest work from Bishop Timothy Dudley-Smith! For everyone who appreciates the art of hymn-writing:“…reflections arising from more than fifty years as a lover of hymns, a very amateur student, and a writer of them”. What the critics say:“A fascinating and compelling look into the clear and careful thinking of one of the finest and most influential … Read More

Hymn Writers Workshop

Hymn Writers Workshop

Please see below details of a Hymn Writers Workshop being organized by Jubilate. This Day may be of interest to both aspiring and established Hymn Writers and composers, especially those living in, or around, or within easy access to London. It will be a day of insight, practical training and fellowship for lyricists and composers alike. In addition to the main … Read More

Short Guide No 18: Getting Hymns Published

To write one or more hymns and have them used by a congregation to which you belong is one thing; to have these hymns published commercially is another matter. This paper looks primarily at hymn texts but similar principles apply for music. Before Publishing Write, check and re-write. The first draft is rarely the finished article. Let someone else see … Read More

Bulletin 276 Volume 20 No7 Summer 2013

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Short Guide No 6: What Makes A Good Hymn?

Answering this question inevitably contains a subjective element: a hymn which one person finds comforting can seem mawkish to someone else, while one believer’s treasured old favourite can sound dated to another Christian. Here, as food for thought, are five balances and five contrasts which may help to identify hymns of quality… Five Balances A good hymn balances… Theology and … Read More

Bulletin 261 Volume 19 No4 October 2009

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Bulletin 258 Volume 19 No1 January 2009

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Bulletin 242 Volume 17 No9 January 2005

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Treasure No 69: A Few Thoughts on Hymn Writing

Treasure No 69: A Few Thoughts on Hymn Writing by Alison Robertson: An article from Bulletin 235, April 2003 (This article was originally written as guidance for potential contributors to the Church of Scotland hymn-book now in preparation.) ymn writing is a real challenge, requiring a great deal of practice, because there are so many considerations to be dealt with … Read More

Treasure No 43: Genesis of a Hymn

Treasure No 43: Genesis of a Hymn by Brian Wren: An article from Bulletin 143, Autumn 1978 ow do hymns get written? Readers may find it interesting to eavesdrop on the process of composition of one particular hymn—or is it a song? Stage 1: Inspiration While I was thinking of a friend’s experience of bereavement, the following four lines came, … Read More

Treasure No 42: The Hymn Today

Treasure No 42: The Hymn Today: An article from Bulletin 138, Winter 1977 Under this title a symposium was presented at the Society’s Conference at Norwich last year. Here we print the substance of what each speaker said on that occasion (or, more accurately, what he would have said had time allowed). i. The Challenge of the Words by Brian … Read More

Treasure No 35: Hymn Writing Today

Treasure No 35: Hymn Writing Today by F. Pratt Green: An article from Bulletin 120, Winter 1971 (Editorial note: We are glad to reprint this article which originally appeared in The Methodist Recorder, 1 October 1970, and are grateful to the editor of that journal and to the author for permission to do so. Frederick Pratt Green, Methodist minister, is … Read More