Songs of Syon
Encyclopedia
Songs of Syon: A Collection of Hymns and Sacred Poems Mostly Translated from Ancient Greek, Latin and German Sources was produced by George Ratcliffe Woodward
in 1904. In 1908 a new and enlarged edition was produced, with the title ‘'Songs of Syon: A Collection of Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs for Public and Private Use’'. While the first edition had 201 items, this later edition had 431. Words and music were published separately. A Third Edition followed in 1910. It was described by the writer of Woodward’s Church Times
obituary
as “the finest hymn book, both as regards words and music, ever produced in England”. A Fourth Edition was published in 1923. It was primarily a reprint of the Third Edition with musical errors corrected on the advice of Dr. Charles Wood. In a few cases "finer melodies, or better harmonies, have been substituted."
The tunes were categorised according to Plainsong
, metrical melodies of 13th-16th centuries; Lutheran tunes; Old English and Scottish psalm tunes of 16th-17th centuries, and old French psalm tunes of the 17th century. Two tunes by Wood
were included as were four by Richard Wagner
. Fifty harmonisations are by Woodward, and thirty apiece by Wood and Palmer. 120 of the texts were drawn from the translations of J.M. Neale with 140 translations and 20 new compositions by Woodward. Six sets of words came from the Yattendon Hymnal, with words by Poet Laureate
Robert Bridges
.
George Ratcliffe Woodward
George Ratcliffe Woodward was an Anglican priest who wrote mostly religious verse, both original and translated from ancient authors. The best-known of these were written to fit traditional melodies, mainly of the Renaissance...
in 1904. In 1908 a new and enlarged edition was produced, with the title ‘'Songs of Syon: A Collection of Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs for Public and Private Use’'. While the first edition had 201 items, this later edition had 431. Words and music were published separately. A Third Edition followed in 1910. It was described by the writer of Woodward’s Church Times
Church Times
The Church Times is an independent Anglican weekly newspaper. It is published in the United Kingdom on Fridays.The Church Times was founded in 1863 to campaign for Anglo-Catholic principles and has always been independent of the Church of England hierarchy. It was a family concern The Church Times...
obituary
Obituary
An obituary is a news article that reports the recent death of a person, typically along with an account of the person's life and information about the upcoming funeral. In large cities and larger newspapers, obituaries are written only for people considered significant...
as “the finest hymn book, both as regards words and music, ever produced in England”. A Fourth Edition was published in 1923. It was primarily a reprint of the Third Edition with musical errors corrected on the advice of Dr. Charles Wood. In a few cases "finer melodies, or better harmonies, have been substituted."
The tunes were categorised according to Plainsong
Plainsong
Plainsong is a body of chants used in the liturgies of the Catholic Church. Though the Eastern Orthodox churches and the Catholic Church did not split until long after the origin of plainchant, Byzantine chants are generally not classified as plainsong.Plainsong is monophonic, consisting of a...
, metrical melodies of 13th-16th centuries; Lutheran tunes; Old English and Scottish psalm tunes of 16th-17th centuries, and old French psalm tunes of the 17th century. Two tunes by Wood
Wood
Wood is a hard, fibrous tissue found in many trees. It has been used for hundreds of thousands of years for both fuel and as a construction material. It is an organic material, a natural composite of cellulose fibers embedded in a matrix of lignin which resists compression...
were included as were four by Richard Wagner
Richard Wagner
Wilhelm Richard Wagner was a German composer, conductor, theatre director, philosopher, music theorist, poet, essayist and writer primarily known for his operas...
. Fifty harmonisations are by Woodward, and thirty apiece by Wood and Palmer. 120 of the texts were drawn from the translations of J.M. Neale with 140 translations and 20 new compositions by Woodward. Six sets of words came from the Yattendon Hymnal, with words by Poet Laureate
Poet Laureate
A poet laureate is a poet officially appointed by a government and is often expected to compose poems for state occasions and other government events...
Robert Bridges
Robert Bridges
Robert Seymour Bridges, OM, was a British poet, and poet laureate from 1913 to 1930.-Personal and professional life:...
.