The Hymnal - Revised and Enlarged, as Adopted by the General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America in the Year of Our Lord 1892 #265699

The metrical Hymns are, in one respect, the most important part of the Church Service. They belong especially to the congregation; who ought not to be deprived of their right to take part in the Hymnody by the use of tunes which are out of their reach, by reason of over-elabor ation or extreme compass. In accordance with this View, the general character of the music in the accompanying book is congregational, the few tunes of a different nature being generally supplemented by a second and simpler tune. Many of the tunes are suitable for being sung in unison, even when this is not Specially indicated. Ten mediaeval tunes are included in the collection, four of which are well known and largely used Veni Emmanuel, O quanta, Victory, and Leoni. The others will be found worthy of attention; and if sung, as they should be, by a large body of men's voices in unison, with a free organ accompaniment, are most effective and moving. The origin and date of these melodies are unknown some of them are contemporary with the words to which they are set.