Thank you to The Mother Church and all involved in the 2008 Hymnal Supplement

I have found myself dragging my feet on this assignment for the Book Club.

Why did this supplementary hymnal meet with resistance on first being published? Some churches didn't even provide them for services, I understand. Is it resistance to anything new?

One of my first impressions about the hymns was that there were two with the same music – "O Waly, Waly" – 443 and 458: "Home is the Consciousness of Good" and "Though I speak with Moving Words".

I found that "O Waly, Waly", also called "The Water is Wide", is a folk song of Scottish origin, based on lyrics that partly date to the 1600's. It is still popular in the 21^st century and it was published in 1906 in Folk Songs from Somerset.

And I particularly like Susan Mack's songs, from one of which we hear her pure voice singing out to us on the Let's Sing recording (available in Christian Science Reading Rooms) – 462 "When my heart is lost in sorrow". (I like to think of it as Simply Praising Him.) The others are "I Awake each Morn to a Brand New Day" (445), and "O Thou Unchanging Truth" (452). The lyrics to 452 are from a much loved poem by Peter J. Henniker-Heaton and which has not been an easy one for our church to come to terms with.

We sang Hymn 460 in Sunday School on Sunday - with gusto; and a little 4 year old boy bouncing in enjoyment.

Hymn 444 is one that could be chosen often for Sunday services because of the words' close connection with Isa. 45:5-6 and other similar verses from the Bible. "I Am the Lord, There is None Else". Words and Music are by soloist on Let's Sing, Désirée Goyette. I found this about one of her recordings – “Désirée Goyette wraps her soul-centered voice lovingly around these positively powerful words steeped in the affirmation of humanity and freedom." Let it Go album (as presented on the Watchfire Music website: http://watchfiremusic.com/artist.php?arid=96)

I am learning to appreciate the the Let's Sing recordings better by having them available in the car. Thank you to The Mother Church in Boston and to all those who participated in the production of this blessing for our church services and Sunday Schools.

Joyce Voysey

Familiar tunes and names

Several of the hymns in the 2008 Hymnal Supplement have familiar tunes. For instance, Amazing Grace (hymn 431), arranged by Robert Rockabrand, with words adapted from John Newton. 

A little research leads me to believe that John Newton is an English poet from the eighteenth century (think Beethoven, James Cook, Napoleon, American War of Independence). The web site here  https://www.poemhunter.com/john-newton/poems/page-2/?a=a&l=3&y= led me to another where I found that John Newton's poem Amazing Grace has a further two verses. Unfortunately, they are not very uplifting; hence their omission from our hymnal. 

A second poem by John Newton appears later in the supplement, no. 440 "Glorious things of thee are spoken". Of course, many will recognize the stirring Austrian national anthem as the alternate tune (hymn 71) for this lovely hymn.

The name of the tune for hymn 431 is New Britain, which is appropriate for a traditional American melody in the emerging colony I think, and this tune has been arranged by Robert Rockabrand for our hymnal supplement (2008). Robert Rockabrand who holds a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree from Stanford University, is Professor Emeritus at Principia College (now retired) in the USA. 

There are two hymns composed by Rockabrand: 
Hodgson - 433 - "Blest Christmas morn..." (words by Mary Baker Eddy) and the very pretty
How to Sow - 456 - "Shepherd, show me..." (words by Mary Baker Eddy).

Oh, and here's some more which he adapted - the gloriously joyful 
Brother James' Air - 435 - "Brood o'er us" (words by Mary Baker Eddy), and
Endless Song - 449 - "My life flows on" (words by Robert Lowry).

You're sure to find others ... like the swinging 
Sanchez - 462 - "When my heart is lost" (words by Susan Mack).

But back to familiar tunes. Have you sung "O Waly, Waly" - 443 - "Home is the consciousness of good" (words by Rosemary Cobham"? This is a wonderful lilting Scottish folk song, arranged by Robert Rockabrand. The lovely words come from Cobham's poem "Home" published in the Christian Science Sentinel October 15, 1938. 
http://sentinel.christianscience.com/issues/1938/10/41-7/home

An interesting feature of the hymnal is the metronome markings. Hymn 431 has crotchet = 84-88. I have discovered that it's possible to "google" this (type 'metronome marking 88" for instance) and up comes the correct tempo! That's a great help, though of course this isn't a rigid requirement and may vary depending on the congregation and the space where the singing is happening.

Julie Swannell

"Filling the measures of life's music aright" (MB Eddy)

A fascinating article called "Church Music - or Just Music in Church" appeared in the October 1976 issue of The Christian Science Journal. In it, author Joseph W. Barclay recalls hearing a particularly inspiring organ prelude one Sunday in church. How important, he notes, is the preparation time given to suitable choices for what he terms "real church music". He further notes that "If one were to add up the time given to music in a church service - prelude, hymns, solo, offertory, postlude - it would be found more than equal in length to the Lesson-Sermon itself." See http://journal.christianscience.com/issues/1976/10/94-10/church-music-or-just-music-in-church

The music for the stately and expansive hymn number 430 "All my hope on God is founded", was written by Herbert Howells, an English composer (1892-1983) who studied and later taught at the Royal College of Music. The tune "Michael" was composed in memory of his son Michael who passed away in early youth. 

The words in our hymn book have been adapted from the original by seventeenth century German composer Joachim Neander, who also wrote the words (in German of course) of our hymn 283 "Praise we the Lord, for His mercy endureth forever". The adaptation of hymn 430 by twentieth century English poem Robert Bridges has been further adapted for us by English Christian Science practitioner and teacher Fenella Bennetts. You can read about her on the official web site of The Mother Church: http://www.christianscience.com/teachers/fenella-bennetts

In a YouTube recording from Westminster Cathedral https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2oYTtyBSxk, it is easy to spot the differences in text between the Anglican church service version and the Christian Science version of 2008. For instance, our verse one proclaims "God alone, dearly known" instead of "God unknown" (which reminds of Paul's encounter with the "men of Athens" back in the first century AD.  See Acts 17: 22-25 - from last week's Bible Lesson.) 

For some whose December copies of the Christian Science Sentinel arrived only recently, you might be glad to discover a poem called Angel-Space by Fennella Bennetts in the December 19 edition. http://sentinel.christianscience.com/issues/2016/12/118-51/angel-space

Here's how it starts:

Make space for angels—
Walk with them, talk with them,
Sing to high heaven with them!

Then let them whisper to you,...

That sounds like a plan!

I am reminded of Mary Baker Eddy's Address before the Christian Scientist Association of the Massachusetts Metaphysical College, in 1893 ("Obedience", Miscellaneous Writings 1883-1896, p. 116), where she asks: "Are we filling the measures of life's music aright, emphasizing its grand strains, swelling the harmony of being with tones whence come glad echoes?"

Now that will give me something to ponder when next the First Reader chooses hymn 430!

Julie Swannell

Singing can happen anywhere

I turned to the Indexes at the back for some information.

Here I could calculate that there are 23 different authors or sources for the 33 hymns in the 2008 Hymnal Supplement. Some of the names are familiar and contemporary, some of whom I will list here: 

-Peter Allen (hymn 453 – Rise up and walk); 

-Fenella Bennetts (458 Though I may speak with moving words); 

-Desiree Goyette (444 I am the Lord, there is none else, and 460 We are walking in the light of God); and 

-Susan Mack (445 I awake each morn to a brand new day, and 462 When my heart is lost in sorrow).

Other names are fondly remembered from past years – 

-Rosemary Cobham (443 Home is the consciousness of good) and 

-Peter Henniker-Heaton (452 O Thou unchanging Truth, and 461 We cannot turn away from God).

Some authors are also composers: 

-Peter Allen (434 Brood o’er us, 453 Rise up, 442 Here, O God, and 451 O sometimes gleams upon our sight); 

-Fenella Bennetts (457 Take my life, and 432 Blest Christmas morn); 

-Desiree Goyette (444 I am the Lord, and 454 Saw ye my Saviour); and 

-Susan Mack (445 I awake, 452 O Thou unchanging Truth, and 462 When my heart).

There are traditional tunes from Africa (460 Siyahamba), America (431 Amazing grace), and the Caribbean (441 Halle, halle, hallelujah), and two versions of the Scottish folk song O Waly, Waly (443 Home is the consciousness, and 458 Though I may speak). The German “Geistliche Kirchengesang 1623” (Google Translate suggests “Spiritual Church Singing” for this phrase) provides the tune for hymn 448 Lo, they that follow after good.

I love the five Indexes at the back of the book. They yield much useful background information for the organist, person/s choosing the hymns, and the congregation.

One of my favourite hymns is 435, Mrs Eddy’s poem Brood o’er us, set to the tune “Brother James’ Air" (by James Leith Macbeth Bain) and adapted by Robert Rockabrand. A quick internet search reveals that I can download a ringtone for my mobile phone with this tune…I didn’t! And YouTube has a pleasing version (words from Ps 23 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rsw1gix1CvA) sung by a boy’s choir (English I think), though for me nothing beats actually singing this tune to Mrs Eddy’s words as part of a lively and thoughtful congregation (like we had at the Church Alive get-together in Brisbane a few years ago) or with any congregation at all.  I have also been known to sing it at the top of my voice from the deck of a certain catamaran!

Julie Swannell

Growing with new music

Now the Hymnal Supplement (2008) – January 2017

An article titled "A New Hymnal Supplement" in the October 2008 issue of The Christian Science Journal appeared under the banner "THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE PUBLISHING SOCIETY".  The article speaks of the “long pent-up demand for new music.” [http://journal.christianscience.com/issues/2008/10/126-10/a-new-hymnal-supplement]

And further on it adds - 

“What is planned for the future? That is largely up to you! We hope to publish more music if there is both the demand for it and supply of submissions from the Field. As we consider the next few years, our ideas include the following: A series of Hymnal supplements (as new and interesting music is available); CDs incorporating the new hymns sung in choral arrangements or as solos by contemporary artists; regional hymn-sings to encourage and share music possibilities; and a music-resource website to assist branch churches with solos, hymns, and performance ideas. At this point, we are committed to engaging fellow members to find new music and new ways of playing and sharing "the rhythm of head and heart," as Mrs. Eddy referred to music (Science and Health, p. 213).”

Much of that promise has come to pass with the New New New Supplement ready for the churches.

New New New because the main hymnal we are now using includes already a Supplement of hymns 401 to 429.

I am very interested in the “regional hymn-sings.” And I could name people to lead them in Australia, but so far they have not reached our state at least.

As one who loves our present Hymnal Notes which accompany the Hymnal Concordance, I hope that there will be further hymnal notes to tell us about the new ones' history. (We studied the Hymnal Notes for this blog in December 2012.)

Joyce Voysey

PS

I am becoming more appreciative of the Hymnal Supplement (2008) since needing to choose hymns for Sunday School.  The old hymnal doesn't seem to offer many suitable for very young children.

We will be trying some of the Supplement ones now.

Addendum to my notes on Daniel (from last month)

Chapter 8 ends with the thought that Daniel himself did not understand the vision he had of the Ram and the Goat! One wonders what hope one has of doing so.

Time to sing!

Study for January 2017 - the 2008 Hymnal Supplement

Back in 2008, the Christian Science Publishing Society issued a new Hymnal Supplement. 

A note in the October issue of The Christian Science Journal that year began 

"COMING THIS NOVEMBER, for the first time in 76 years, a new Hymnal Supplement! This 2008 supplement contains new inspiring and healing hymns written and arranged by Christian Scientists today, as well as hymn texts from the current Hymnal set to contemporary music. We hope you will enjoy singing these hymns as much as we have loved collecting and publishing them. These songs are offered to support the healing and joy of our church services and your practice of Christian Science.

As we reviewed the history of our Hymnal, it was surprising to all of us that a supplement was not issued sooner. In Mary Baker Eddy's day there was a succession of new or revised Hymnals."

http://journal.christianscience.com/issues/2008/10/126-10/a-new-hymnal-supplement

With the imminent issue of a further supplement, it seems timely to take a look into those hymns we were gifted back in 2008. Music offers much to ponder. Some avenues for further research might include: sacred music, Hymnody, and congregational singing. 

The Bible and our Leader's writings, as well as the wealth of material in our periodicals (see jsh-online.com) are replete with instruction and inspiration, so I hope readers will share their prayer-based thoughts on the topic through the avenue of this blog site. For instance the Church Manual offers guidance about the tone, type and place of suitable music for church services.

Henry E. Wright shared the following story in his lovely article "Freedom Won by Song from the June 19, 1943 issue of the Christian Science Sentinel: 

"One beautiful summer evening, a bird flew into the kitchen of a large house. Upon the approach of one of its occupants, the timid bird flew into a large cupboard. In due course this person went to get an article from the cupboard, afterward closing the doors. A little later, although entombed in the darkness of the cupboard, the bird began to sing. It was assumed that it was the song of a bird in the garden. Gradually, as the volume of song became louder and louder, the hearer decided to investigate. Since the sound came from the direction of the cupboard the doors were opened, and the bird flew out through the window into the garden.

"Does not this incident hold a lesson for each one of us? When the daily round does not appear to run smoothly, let us start to sing, either mentally or audibly. Mrs. Eddy encourages us in these words from "Miscellaneous Writings" (pp. 19. 20): "The spiritual sense of Life and its grand pursuits is of itself a bliss, health-giving and joy-inspiring. This sense of Life illumes our pathway with the radiance of divine Love." It is recorded in Acts that Paul and Silas won their freedom from prison by continually praying and singing praises to God. What a wonderful example for us all to follow!....

http://sentinel.christianscience.com/issues/1943/6/45-25/freedom-won-by-song

So "Let all within us sing/For that's what we are made to do" (Hymn 462 by Susan Mack)
Words Copyright 2005

Hymn 462:-1 Words (to 2005)
From Concord Express - A Christian Science Study Resource: The King James Version of the Bible and Mary Baker Eddy's published writings

Simply Praising Him

Susan Mack

(462)

SANCHEZ

Susan Mack

Arranged by Sue Loomis and Robert Rockabrand

Words Copyright 2005 and Music Copyright 2007 In Our Field Productions. Used by permission. Arr. Copyright 2008 The Christian Science Publishing Society.

Hymn 462:-2--1

Tralalala...

Julie Swannell