Together in Song
Encyclopedia
Together in Song: Australian Hymn Book II (ISBN 1-86371-762-5) was published in 1999. It is a book of 783 psalms
, hymns and spiritual songs for use in Christian worship
in Australia and elsewhere. It is a significant revision of The Australian Hymn Book
published 22 years earlier.
It was created by an ecumenical
editorial committee chaired by Canon Dr. Lawrence Bartlett and containing representatives from the Anglican
, Churches of Christ
, Lutheran, Presbyterian
, Roman Catholic and Uniting
churches.
Major changes include modernising the texts (using inclusive language and reducing archaic language), removing hymns that had fallen out of use, emphasising psalms, and adding of more modern musical settings and worship songs. The book also reflects changes agreed by the English Language Liturgical Consultation
in 1988.
Canon Dr. Lawrence Bartlett describes the book as "Ecumenical in that it represents the liturgical insights of those churches represented on the Editorial Committee" and "Contemporary in that all the material, whether old or new, is presented so that today's worshippers can use it without embarrassment or confusion."
The collection of hymns is intentionally international with material drawn from 48 countries. The addition of new songs has broadened the range of musical styles represented, spanning from plainsong
to worship songs composed at Hillsong. The most represented hymnwriter is Charles Wesley
with 41 hymns, while contemporary hymnwriters like Brian Wren has 24 hymns included, John L. Bell
has 27 and Shirley E. Murray has 5. In some circumstances, where the editorial committee could not find a song that adequately fulfilled a need they wrote their own such as Shirley Ludgater's hymn about marriage as an act of creation: "When the light of first creation".
One criticism of the book is that the use of inclusive language (noted by alt. after the author's name) has ruined the flow of many older hymns.
The hymns are divided into sections reflecting theological themes or liturgical uses and are arranged chronologically within each section. The hymn book contains multiple indexes of tunes, metres, composer
s and arrangers, author
s and translators, texts based on scripture
passages, subjects, the church year, first lines and common titles. It is available in harmony, melody line (with guitar chords), large print, software and audio CD editions.
Psalms
The Book of Psalms , commonly referred to simply as Psalms, is a book of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Bible...
, hymns and spiritual songs for use in Christian worship
Christian worship
In Christianity, worship is adoration and contemplation of God.-Overview:Throughout most of Christianity's history, corporate Christian worship has been primarily liturgical, characterized by prayers and hymns, with texts rooted in, or closely related to, the Scripture, particularly the Psalter;...
in Australia and elsewhere. It is a significant revision of The Australian Hymn Book
Australian Hymn Book
The Australian Hymn Book was published in 1977, and was the culmination of almost ten year's work by an ecumenical committee, chaired by A. Harold Wood, intent on producing a new, contemporary and inclusive hymn book that could be used in worship by the varied Christian congregations across...
published 22 years earlier.
It was created by an ecumenical
Ecumenism
Ecumenism or oecumenism mainly refers to initiatives aimed at greater Christian unity or cooperation. It is used predominantly by and with reference to Christian denominations and Christian Churches separated by doctrine, history, and practice...
editorial committee chaired by Canon Dr. Lawrence Bartlett and containing representatives from the Anglican
Anglicanism
Anglicanism is a tradition within Christianity comprising churches with historical connections to the Church of England or similar beliefs, worship and church structures. The word Anglican originates in ecclesia anglicana, a medieval Latin phrase dating to at least 1246 that means the English...
, Churches of Christ
Churches of Christ in Australia
The Churches of Christ in Australia is a Christian movement in Australia. It is part of the Restoration Movement with historical influences from the United States of America and the United Kingdom....
, Lutheran, Presbyterian
Presbyterianism
Presbyterianism refers to a number of Christian churches adhering to the Calvinist theological tradition within Protestantism, which are organized according to a characteristic Presbyterian polity. Presbyterian theology typically emphasizes the sovereignty of God, the authority of the Scriptures,...
, Roman Catholic and Uniting
Uniting Church in Australia
The Uniting Church in Australia was formed on 22 June 1977 when many congregations of the Methodist Church of Australasia, the Presbyterian Church of Australia and the Congregational Union of Australia came together under the Basis of Union....
churches.
Major changes include modernising the texts (using inclusive language and reducing archaic language), removing hymns that had fallen out of use, emphasising psalms, and adding of more modern musical settings and worship songs. The book also reflects changes agreed by the English Language Liturgical Consultation
English Language Liturgical Consultation
The English Language Liturgical Consultation is a group of national associations of ecumenical liturgists in the English-speaking world. Their work has been concerned with developing and promoting common liturgical texts in English and sharing a common lectionary wherever possible...
in 1988.
Canon Dr. Lawrence Bartlett describes the book as "Ecumenical in that it represents the liturgical insights of those churches represented on the Editorial Committee" and "Contemporary in that all the material, whether old or new, is presented so that today's worshippers can use it without embarrassment or confusion."
The collection of hymns is intentionally international with material drawn from 48 countries. The addition of new songs has broadened the range of musical styles represented, spanning from 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...
to worship songs composed at Hillsong. The most represented hymnwriter is Charles Wesley
Charles Wesley
Charles Wesley was an English leader of the Methodist movement, son of Anglican clergyman and poet Samuel Wesley, the younger brother of Anglican clergyman John Wesley and Anglican clergyman Samuel Wesley , and father of musician Samuel Wesley, and grandfather of musician Samuel Sebastian Wesley...
with 41 hymns, while contemporary hymnwriters like Brian Wren has 24 hymns included, John L. Bell
John L. Bell
John Lamberton Bell is a hymn-writer. A Church of Scotland minister, he is a member of the Iona Community, a broadcaster, and former student activist...
has 27 and Shirley E. Murray has 5. In some circumstances, where the editorial committee could not find a song that adequately fulfilled a need they wrote their own such as Shirley Ludgater's hymn about marriage as an act of creation: "When the light of first creation".
One criticism of the book is that the use of inclusive language (noted by alt. after the author's name) has ruined the flow of many older hymns.
The hymns are divided into sections reflecting theological themes or liturgical uses and are arranged chronologically within each section. The hymn book contains multiple indexes of tunes, metres, composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
s and arrangers, author
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
s and translators, texts based on scripture
Religious text
Religious texts, also known as scripture, scriptures, holy writ, or holy books, are the texts which various religious traditions consider to be sacred, or of central importance to their religious tradition...
passages, subjects, the church year, first lines and common titles. It is available in harmony, melody line (with guitar chords), large print, software and audio CD editions.
Companion to Together in song
- Milgate, W. & Wood, H. D.H. D'Arcy WoodReverend Dr Harold D'Arcy Wood is a semi-retired Uniting Church in Australia Minister and was President of the UCA Assembly between 1991-94. He has been active in ecumenism in Australia and globally....
(2006) A companion to Together in song : Australian hymn book II, Sydney : Australian Hymn Book ISBN 0646457128 containing notes on the sources and history of each tune and hymn text, along with short biographies of all authors and composers.