The Public School Hymn Book, 2nd Edition, 1919: Title page and Preface, transcribed from a copy in possession.
[Title page]
PRINTED AND PUBLISHED FOR THE PROPRIETORS
BY
MESSRS. NOVELLO AND COMPANY, LIMITED,
160, WARDOUR STREET, LONDON, W.1
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[Preface. (Some additional paragraph-breaks have been incorporated in this transcription.)]
The demand for a higher standard in Hymn-tunes is slowly but surely making itself felt. It is a welcome sign of the gradual change in popular taste that during the last few years there have been published such collections as the "English Hymnal," the "Yattendon Hymnal," the "Oxford Hymn Book," and "Songs of Syon."
The Preface to the "Public School Hymn Book" is not the right place for a general discussion on the question of Hymn-tunes.* It may be said at once that the musical Editors of this book have deliberately and whole-heartedly ranged themselves with those who, far from satisfied with our present standard, are anxious to bring to the service of God nothing but the very best. It cannot be too strongly emphasised that Church music should be the handmaid of religious teaching and the reverent expression of corporate worship. Nor must it be forgotten that sincere and noble music has a very powerful influence on the character.
The oft-repeated argument that, so long as people sing, it does not matter much what they sing, is, we believe, not only fallacious in itself, but is utterly inconsistent with the theories held and practised in realms of education other than that of religion. Convinced as we are that Hymn-tunes have a vital influence on the sense of worship and on the development of character, we have tried to find tunes which will achieve that high aim. Not every tune can combine all the most desirable features; but, speaking generally, the tunes in this collection will be found to possess broad melodies, strong harmonies, dignity, vigour, and sincerity. In the choice of tunes a careful attempt has been made to illustrate the distinction between words of a subjective and an objective character. Any tune that savours of weakness or false sentiment has been rigidly banned.
The application of these principles has resulted in the exclusion of many tunes popularly known as "Old Favourites." To any who view their disappearance with concern three things may be said: - Firstly, among many old favourites are some of the very worst and most harmful examples of Hymn-tune writing, quite unworthy of any place in divine worship; secondly, a few have been put in the Appendix with the idea that it may be more advisable to make a gradual rather than a sweeping change; thirdly, it takes a very little time to win over the complete allegiance of a congregation to a new tune.
This latter point we can press with all the more assurance because one of the Committee has for several years had the opportunity of making experiments in his own School Chapel. By means of regular congregational practices he has, with very gratifying results, introduced the boys to many of the finest tunes in collections other than the A. & M. Most of the weak tunes have been eliminated, and there is no question that the boys would feel sorely injured if they were ever restored. In that chapel the new tunes are now the old favourites.
It must be admitted that there are serious difficulties in introducing new tunes for the first time at the actual services in chapel, and therefore we wish strongly to advocate the system of congregational practices. Such practices provide the opportunity not only for teaching the congregation new tunes, but also for educating their taste and helping them to form right ideas about corporate worship.
We do not claim that this collection says the last word or is in any way beyond criticism; it has been impossible to find four hundred tunes which reach in all respects the standard which has been laid down. But we do believe that it is the strongest collection of tunes suitable for school use that has yet been published; and in that belief we commend it to the Public Schools with the hope that it may carry with it the atmosphere of reverent worship, and may contribute thereby to the greater glory of God.
[ Copyright acknowledgements follow. The Preface is unsigned, and the book contains no indication of the identity of any of the Editors or Compilers or of the membership of its Committees. ]
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