interview (short)--David & Barbara Leeman on ”Our Hymns, Our Heritage”

“Our Hymns, Our Heritage: A Hosanna Hymnal-A Student Guide to Songs of the Church” by David & Barbara Leeman  (Moody Press)

 

The Church Universal has been greatly blessed by the composition of magnificent hymns that have inspired worshippers for centuries. Many modern churches have abandoned this great legacy, and therefore many children have not had the privilege of learning the theology of great hymns. This book hopes to re-introduce them to young readers. 120 of the hymns are included, and 25% are young enough that they still fall under copyright laws.  Each hymn’s story presents Text, Tune and As You Sing These Hymns;  so you learn about the lyricist and what led them to write these words, the composer of the melody and their influences, and the point of each hymn-song. The Great Reformer Martin Luther wrote a half-millennia ago “Next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world.. It controls our thoughts, minds, hearts, and spirits”.

 For Epiphany, we get “What Child is This?” and “As With Gladness Men of Old”. Lent brings “What Wondrous Love is This”(with its melancholy minor tune), “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded”, “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” (the second by Isaac Watts in this collection). For Palm Sunday we have “Hosanna, Loud Hosannas” and “All Glory, Laud and Honor” (which originally had 78 verses and was written by Charlemagne’s musician, Theodulph, around 800). Easter features Charles Wesley’s “Christ The Lord Is Risen Today”, as well as “ I Know That My Redeemer Lives” and one of very favorite newer hymns (1986) by Natalie Sleeth, “Hymn of Promise”. Charles Wesley also contributes “Love Divine” for Pentecost.