“Old Fashioned” Hymns

I am pleased to be able to offer on this website a selection of hymns for the comfort, inspiration, devotion of Christian folk, and indeed any others who enjoy “the old hymns”. With the modern passion for choruses, and even “Christian rock” (an oxymoron in my view), love for and knowledge of the great heritage of devotion in the great hymns of the Church is fast disappearing. This applies whether we consider those from the ancient church (Ambrose, Fortunatus), or from the Puritan period (Baxter, Ken), but in particular those which came from the Evangelical Revival of the eighteenth century, which have been the standard repertoire for multitudes of Christians until quite recently. This decline is to be deplored. Hence I am conducting this ministry from this website to maintain a love of the rich doctrine and devotion enshrined in these great hymns, especially for those who no longer hear or sing them in their churches.

The selection has largely come from the old Methodist Hymn Book, 1933 (hereafter MHB), with the Australian and New Zealand Supplement. This was long regarded as the “hymn book par excellence” among Australian Christians, since many were themselves Methodists, and those who were not knew many of the hymns from this collection. Some “old time Methodists” will still know of the older 1904 Methodist Hymn Book (1904 MHB), which endured in some congregations even after the 1933 collection officially displaced it. Some items from that earlier collection are included here, or extra verses from the 1904 MHB in certain hymns where the 1933 edition omitted them. These verses will be indicated with either * or ⁺ where they occur.
Another excellent book, containing a number of hymns not appearing in the MHB, is the collection entitled Christian Hymns, Evangelical Movement of Wales, 1977 (hereafter CH). Some selections from this book likewise appear on this website, particularly those of John Newton and Bishop Edward Bickersteth, as well as more recent titles by still-living Welshmen. Moreover, some additional verses are added from CH to an equivalent hymn appearing in the MHB where they occur.

Finally, another book which those of the Reformed background will appreciate is the Psalter-Hymnal, Christian Reformed Church of North America, 1959 (hereafter PH). This enshrines the heritage of Genevan Psalm settings and tunes much loved in the Protestant churches of the Continent.

While some items in the selection below are well known, others are less so, the reason being that the latter are often precisely those which have a richer content and warmer devotion, and ought to be better known than they are. Thus many of the better known hymns can be heard at various sites, one being the Cyber Hymnal (particularly recommended). However, American visitors to this site will note that very few hymns have refrains: that is simply part of the heritage of hymnody in British Christianity. Refrains are more in the tradition of Sankey, which, while popular in Australia, hymns in this vein often lack the rich theology of say, Wesley, Watts, Montgomery, and Bonar.

From one aspect the Methodist tradition was largely non-confessional (a weakness in my view), yet importantly its hymn book was its confession of faith, since all the great doctrines of the Christian faith are there taught with utmost clarity. For many they have been sermons in song, or a kind of catechism in verse. Hence the grouping and classification of the selections here is doctrinal, as follows:

One final point concerns the indexing. The hymns are arranged alphabetically within each sub-section. A full alphabetical list will appear soon.

God the Father: Worship and Adoration

 The Holy Trinity

 Creation

 Providence

 Election

 Redemption

God the Son: Glory, Name, and Praise

 Incarnation

 Life and Example

 Atoning Death

 Resurrection, Ascension and Heavenly Session

 Present Reign and Coming Kingdom

 Second Coming

God the Holy Spirit: Person and Work

 The Scriptures

The Gospel: The Summons

 Response

 Justification

 Assurance and Security

Christian Life: Thanksgiving

 Peace with God

 Holiness

 Discipleship

 Communion and Devotion

 Christian Service

 Union with Christ

 Pilgrimage and Perseverance

 Death and Glory

The Church: Lord’s Day Worship

 Elect and Precious

 Communion of Saints

 Missions

 Close of Worship

 Militant and Triumphant

Children’ Hymns

New Year

Wishing you a blessed time as you listen to these great hymns!

Click here for first line index.

If you wish to comment, or to request that a certain item be added, please contact me here.