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Church of Scotland hymns to become more Scottish
Episcopal News Service
Issue:
Section:
2003-079-6
Posted: Thursday, April 10, 2003
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The Church of Scotland is planning to cull more than a third of its hymnbook, making room for more Scottish words and music.
'Previously, too many of our hymns have been borrowed,' said Douglas Galbraith, coordinator of the Kirk's worship and doctrine office and a member of the committee that prepared this 4th edition of the Church Hymnary. 'The new book has vastly more material from the folk and traditional strands of Scottish culture, both lowland and Gaelic.'
The list of 250 hymns to be dropped, most of which are rarely used, includes the well-known song 'Jerusalem,' with words by William Blake, and the verse 'Till we have built Jerusalem in England's green and pleasant land.' The music to which 'Jerusalem' is traditionally sung, however, has survived to accompany a psalm. Traditional Scottish tunes like the Skye Boat Song, Ye Banks and Braes and the Eriskay Love Lilt will accompany words by modern Scottish writers as well as by Robert Burns, Scotland's national poet.
The revised hymnbook will be evaluated by the Church of Scotland's general assembly in May and, if approved, should be published by the end of the year. It will also be considered for use by the United Free Church of Scotland. The committee preparing the Church Hymnary stressed that the new edition, the first in 30 years, would keep much familiar material from the 16th to 19th centuries, but would also take account of 'the amazing outpouring of creativity in worship texts and music worldwide since the 1960s.'
Recent material from Asia and Africa is included, as well as children's songs published in Australia and in Canada. The hymnary borrows from the Anglican tradition with short sung responses suitable for interspersing in services.
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