How to lay out a hymn with text
  • Quaerens
    Posts: 32
    Hello all,

    I've found a hymn text paired with Tallis' Third Mode Melody, and I wonder if anyone could kindly guide me to a website or free resource I can use to lay it out in modern style, with the text under the notes.

    The text is "O Christ, Thy love to all the world," by G. Robson, in the 1922 "Missionary Hymnbook". It is paired with the Third Mode Melody, but the verses are printed after the music, as seems to have been customary at the time. Link here: https://hymnary.org/text/o_christ_thy_love_to_all_the_world

    Thanks in advance for any help.
  • WillWilkin
    Posts: 36
    I learned MuseScore surprisingly quickly (first day I tried!) with zero previous experience on notation software. I've been creating hymn arrangements with hymn texts. First enter the melody in musical notation, then enter the vocal syllables by clicking the note then typing out the syllable. MuseScore is free, open-source software with a very active discussion forum for any technical questions.
    Thanked by 2Quaerens rich_enough
  • Quaerens
    Posts: 32
    Amazing! This is exactly what I need. Thanks WillWilkin.
  • Heath
    Posts: 988
    Quaerens, share with us when you're finished, please! :)
  • cmb
    Posts: 92
    A lot of hymns on Hymnary have a downloadable MusicXML file that you can import into MuseScore to give you a head start.
    Thanked by 1Quaerens
  • CGM
    Posts: 780
    Here you go. Who doesn't love Tallis?
    OChristThyLoveToAllTheWorld_Tallis_SATB.pdf
    92K
    Thanked by 4CHGiffen m_r_taylor ServiamScores Quaerens
  • ServiamScores
    Posts: 3,180
    Third Mode Melody is my desert island hymn tune. I would forsake all other tunes for this one.
    Thanked by 2Quaerens CHGiffen
  • Liam
    Posts: 5,464
    I much prefer "I Heard The Voice of Jesus Say" to it than to KINGSFOLD - very especially at funerals, where the plaintive nature of THIRD MODE MELODY is far more fitting than the rather march-like KINGSFOLD. It's all (text and tune) public domain now, and should be in hymnals and worship aids. Any time I encounter a hymnal with that text only paired with KINGSFOLD I cannot but help think - what a waste of effort.

    Then again, I strongly prefer "Lead Kindly Light" paired with SANDON, and "Nearer My God to Thee" paired with HORBURY, and adore most of Gibbons' "song" tunes & harmonies, and DANBY (https://hymnary.org/hymn/EH1906/2954) for any suitable text. I love plaintive tunes and wish more were kept in active repertoire.
    Thanked by 2CHGiffen ServiamScores
  • Quaerens
    Posts: 32
    Thanks so much, CGM, this is very kind of you! I was away for a few days and did not have the opportunity to try Musescore yet.

    I quite like this text (O Christ Thy Love) for Third Mode. It retains some of the martial spirit of "Why fumeth in fight" but is a little more useable year-round. I wish the third verse didn't rhyme "sympathies" with "sacrifice", but other than that it's great.
  • Quaerens
    Posts: 32
    A proposed adaptation of the text for the third verse:

    Original:
    O Love, that died for all the world,
    Teach us Thy sympathies,
    That we, in love for all, may learn
    The joy of sacrifice.
    O Love, that reigns for all the world,
    Fulfill Thy Victory,
    Till all are subject to Thy sway,
    And blessed, O Christ, in Thee.

    Adapted:
    O Love, that died for all the world,
    Our only hope we hail!
    The world turns, Thy Cross stands firm,
    Thy Passion shall prevail!
    O Love, that reigns for all the world,
    Fulfill Thy Victory,
    Till all are subject to Thy sway,
    And blessed, O Christ, in Thee.
    Thanked by 1ServiamScores
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