Publisher's Synopsis
"Hymns in German piety were written to serve as meditations and to teach individuals how to become better followers of Jesus. This volume highlights the spiritual themes of the Brethren as illuminated in their hymnody from their beginnings through the three hundred years to 2008. Some of the areas to be examined include: the thinking and influences which shaped what hymns Brethren chose to sing; the themes of which the Brethren authors wrote; which hymns Brethren hymnal compilers and committees chose to include; which tunes the Brethren chose to accompany their hymns; why Brethren musicians composed the tunes as they did; and the manner in which the Brethren rendered their singing. Included, therefore, is a discussion of the major Brethren hymn book publications, hymn text writers and translators, hymn tune composers, and worship and singing practices. Specific attention is given to examples of hymn texts which highlight the distinctive
