The Story of the Hymns and Tunes - Hezekiah Butterworth

The Story of the Hymns and Tunes

By Hezekiah Butterworth

  • Release Date: 2006-05-24
  • Genre: Literary Criticism

Description

It is natural to speak of hymns as "poems," indiscriminately, for they have the same structure. But a hymn is not necessarily a poem, while a poem that can be sung as a hymn is something more than a poem. Imagination makes poems; devotion makes hymns. There can be poetry without emotion, but a hymn never. A poem may argue; a hymn must not. In short to be a hymn, what is written must express spiritual feelings and desires. The music of faith, hope and charity will be somewhere in its strain.

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