The Hymnal 1982

"The Hymnal 1982" is the hymnal of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America. It is one in a series of 7 official hymnals of the Episcopal Church, including "The Hymnal 1940". Unlike many Anglican churches (including the Church of England) the Episcopal Church requires that the words of hymns be from officially approved sources, making the official hymnals perhaps more important than their counterparts elsewhere. "The Hymnal 1940" was originally compiled with input from the Joint Commission on Church Music of the Episcopal Church, which was founded in 1919. "The Hymnal 1982" was put together based on the Joint Commission's work by the Standing Commission on Church Music. "The Hymnal 1982" had a much expanded service music and chant section, which became necessary with the introduction of the 1979 "Book of Common Prayer". [Temperley, 10. North America and Australasia.] "The Hymnal 1982" was approved by both houses of General Convention, the governing body of the Episcopal Church, in 1982. It is published by The Church Pension Fund. ['82]

"The Hymnal 1982" has 720 hymns. It is strongly founded on congregational singing, and takes some beginning steps toward multiculturalism, including eight hymns based on spirituals, two on Ghanaian work songs (Tshotsholosa/Christ the worker #611 and Chereponi/Jesu, Jesu #602), two on Chinese hymns, two on "Amerindian" songs, one Hispanic American song, and one by a Mexican composer. [Temperley, 10. North America and Australasia.]

The Hymnal quotes an interesting canon (Canon 24, Section 1), giving the final authority over the music used in services to the minister. ['82]

ee also

* Carl P. Daw Jr. - Executive Director of the Hymn Society in the United States and Canada.

References

*Nicholas Temperley. "Anglican and Episcopalian church music", "Grove Music Online", ed. L. Macy (accessed December 17 2006), [http://www.grovemusic.com/ grovemusic.com] (subscription access).
*"The Hymnal 1982" ISBN 0-89869-120-6

Notes