Love divine is a well known and loved song, typically paired with the Welsh tune Blaenwern. Today on “Songs we sing and how we’ve sung them”, we hear just some of the many tunes paired with these iconic words. Acknowledgements: Zündel - Janet R and Clyde McLennan Organ accompaniments to Hyfrydol, Westminster - Clyde McLennan Other sources: Companion to Hymns and Psalms
Don’t let the thought of a 12 verse hymn put you off - pick a few verses and explore Charles Wesley’s interpretation of Jacob’s nighttime wrestling adventure. Featuring tunes by Charles Wesley’s grandson, a modern take by Nicola Morrison and a Scottish classic. Acknowledgements: Organ accompaniment to Wrestling Jacob - Clyde McLennan Accompaniments to Ye Banks and Braes and Poole - singing the faith midi Links: https://www.methodist.org.uk/for-churches/resources/hymns/come-o-thou-traveller-unknown-stf-461ii/ With thanks to Kristin for the pointer towards Ye Banks and Braes as an alternative
And Can It Be is an iconic Methodist hymn - dare we consider singing it to anything other than Sagina? Today on “Songs we sing and how we’ve sung them”, we dare. Hear excerpts sung to Lansdown and Abingdon - and of course, Sagina. Acknowledgements: Sagina - Matt Beckingham (Permission requested) Organ accompaniments to Lansdown - Clyde McLennan Midi accompaniment to Abingdon - Singing the faith midi Links: https://www.methodist.org.uk/our-faith/worship/singing-the-faith-plus/posts/and-can-it-be-tops-wesley-anniversary-poll/ Clarke, Martin V. (2016) ““And can it be”: Analysing the Words, Music, and Contexts of an Iconic Methodist Hymn,” Yale Journal of Music & Religion: Vol. 2: No. 1, Article 2. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17132/2377-231X.1023 https://www.methodist.org.uk/our-faith/worship/singing-the-faith-plus/hymns/great-god-your-love-has-called-us-here-stf-499/ Other sources: Companion to Hymns and Psalms
It’s long been said that Methodism was born in song – and we’re certainly still singing our faith today. Hymns and songs help us to remember God’s love, to proclaim the Good News and to worship. But what are the songs we sing, and how have we sung them in the past? How do the tunes we use support the words we’re singing, and just how much difference can they make? “Songs we sing and how we’ve sung them” aims to jump right in to those questions, in an occasional series of short podcasts – one song at a time. Find it wherever you get your podcasts.