Customer Reviews

Then Sings My Soul, Book 2: 150 of the World's Greatest Hymn Stories (BK 2)

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Robert Morgan has collected the stories of familiar hymns which transcend denominational boundaries. I sang many of these as a youth at Catholic Mass, and later, as I have regularly attended Protestant services. Not only did I enjoy reading the lyrics in the quiet of my living room, but I also learned more about the intended meaning of each song.

Significant Songs (just a few of another 50 I could list)
* "O Sacred Heart Now Wounded"
* "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring"
* "Joy to the World!"
* "The First Noel"
* "O Holy Night"
* "O How I Love Jesus"
* "I Love to Tell the Story"
* "Beulah Land"
* "Nothing But the Blood"
* "God of Our Fathers"
* "Softly and Tenderly"
* "I'll Fly Away"
* "Will the Circle Be Unbroken?"

Christian hymns are part of world music, going back hundreds of years. Whether written by a repentant slave owner or a Catholic priest who believes scripture should be in the common man's language, or as an extension of a theologian's great poetic skill, the stories of the classics are anything but ordinary.

What impressed me was the easy style of Morgan's writing as he explained the theology and origin of the songs. Each song receives one page describing its author and history.

I learned, for example, "Will the Circle Be Unbroken?" by Ada Ruth Habershon isn't a secular song of generic faith sung only by folk singers, but a rich song of longing for eternity in Heaven specifically for Christians.

I like that Morgan included "Away in the Manger" and other Christmas carols. In the Christmas holiday context, they feel like simple ditties, but reading the lyrics showed me how many started as hymns sung throughout the year as worship.

A downside of the book was the organization. Morgan researched this carefully and grouped the hymns chronologically. Each song gets its own entry. In many cases, specific material was lacking, or, as in the case of the Wesley brothers, John and Charles, many were written by one author. There was only so much Wesley information to spread out over all of their songs. It would have made more senses to collection the songs of one author together, with one essay to avoid this problem.

"Then Sings My Soul" is aptly titled, referencing the famous lyric. It is as instructive as it is encouraging. For me, as I walked through memories new and old, I found that this coming Sunday as I sing these with my fellow parishioners, I will be singing with more soul than the Sunday before.

I fully recommend "Then Sings My Soul: 150 of the World's Greatest Hymn Stories" by Robert J. Morgan.

Anthony Trendl
editor, HungarianBookstore.com

If you ever wanted to know the background behind the hymns that we sing, this two-volume collection is for you. Robert J. Morgan has collected and compiled stories of hymns from all over the world and from every time period. Each book takes a look at 150 hymns, so the sum total is 300 - certainly, most of the familiar hymns including your favorite hymns are included. And there are other hymns herein, that you would enjoy singing and reading about.

In Book II, there are stories about many hymn favorites, including: "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross," "Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus", "The First Noel", "Break Thou the Bread of Life" and "Joy to the World!"

Both books would be very helpful to pastors planning worship-and indeed could be the springboard for any number of sermons, illustrations or hymn festivals.

But the usefulness does not stop there. These volumes are really a mini compendium of faith's response to God's wonders and blessings, and so, together, they are treasuries of devotional resources.

For more than twenty years, author Robert J. Morgan has served as the pastor of The Donelson Fellowship in Nashville, Tennessee, so he brings a pastor's reverence and appreciation of these hymns to his narrative

These are very nice books for anyone who likes hymns and their history. Each hymn is printed on one page and looks very much as it does in a main-line church hymnal. On the facing page is a history of the composer, author of the words or both and story about the writing of the hymn. I recommend them for church goers, former church goers, choir members and ministers. The binding does not lend itself to sitting open on my piano rack, but I could alter that if I really wanted to play from the book. They are good books for picking up to read just a few pages at a time. Enjoyably informative.

I love how this book includes the musical score and a story for each hymn (usually about the person who wrote the words). The hymn is on the left page, the story on the right. It's interesting to learn the history behind each hymn, and about the people who wrote them.

The other book I received was Then Sings My Soul by Robert J. Morgan.

From the publisher:

Rob Morgan's unmistakable talent for storytelling continues to help reacquaint people with the hymns of the faithful. Then Sings My Soul has sold over 300,000 copies, and it's still going strong!

In Then Sings My Soul Book 2, these devotional-style stories brim with emotion and drama about the people whose faith led them to write the hymns, and about the people whose lives were changed by them. Designed to be personally reflective, these stories speak to your soul and add depth and meaning as you worship God through the beauty of song.

My Thoughts:

This book was full of interesting facts about various hymn writers and their hymns. There are "regular" Sunday hymns, Christmas hymns, Easter hymns.

Each song is present in its entirety (complete with the music, much to my husband's delight!) along with biography of the hymn writer and a brief narrative about the hymn itself.

This book is great to use to learn the history of some of our most beloved hymns.

I love singing. I love to spend time worshipping God in song. Something about it helps me connect with Him in a way nothing else can. I especially love worshipping throught hymns. There is something about timeless hymns, the words of those who have gone before us, served Him before us, worshipped the same Lord before us, that are comforting to me.
This book, "Then Sings My Soul" is a collection of 150 of the most well-known, beloved hymns. From Easter, to Christmas, to Thanksgiving, patriotic holidays, and just your every-day loved hymns...this book has them all.
It is written in devotional style so that you can see the hymn (written music and all) on the left side of the page and then read the stroy behind who wrote the hymn on the right side of the page.
What a gift, what a precious way to worship Him even deeper. To see the pain, the struggle, the story that spurred on each of these love songs to our Lord. I couldn't help but just smile as I read through the great hymns. What love for our Lord and what a precious way to express it.
This would be a great gift for those in your life who love God and love music.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the [...] book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 [...] : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

I purchased this sensational book at a Fred's Dollar Store today in Alabama for $8.50. And it's worth every penny! Although i am a Christian myself, i am extremely wary of purchasing Christian literature and Bible translations as much of "Christian" literature is the "feel good" gospels of the likes of Joyce Meyer, Rick Warren, Max Lucado, Beth Moore, etc, and filled with heresy and legalism. Hence, i only own a few Christian books, under 10 at this point. I mulled over this one too but decided to spring. And i'm glad i did!

As a lover of the old time hymns, and a music junkie in general, this is a pleasant and insightful read, with bios of the hymn writers similar to the write ups on cyberhymnal.com, but more informative. On the right hand pages are the histories of the writers and the inspiration for the songs they penned, and on the left, corresponding to each, is the sheet music of said hymn, suitable for piano or private or group singing. Most include 3 or 4 verses a piece, leaving no piece of the glorious gospel message out. It even has purposely dogged-eared pages, making it look like a wellused and well loved hymn book that you might find in your Grandma's church. It even includes some much loved Christmas carols.

It took me a while to catch on to the layout, but the hymns are arranged according to year, going from the earliest (1153) to the newest (1971). This presents a clear historical timline of when the hymns came into being and when the hymnists lived.

I like the neutral style in which Morgan presents the information, not unduly emphasizing one person, denomination, or line of doctrine over the other. This is good because it is obvious that some of the hymn writers were not Christians at the time they penned their songs, or some coming out of heretical lines such as the Catholic church of the Church of God In Christ.

I've really learned of lot of fascinating snippets about these beloved hymns, which are becoming so scarce in today's CCM ladened world. I truly believe that almost all CCM music is self-glorifying garbage, and with the exception of some light (but reverent) praise music (think the Maranatha! Singers), it is the old tyme hymns that i love and that bring glory to God. Call me an old fart, but i would rather sit in an empty country church and sing these praises to God alone rather than join the CCM arena, bells, whistles, and flashing lights and all.

While most are my favorite hymns are in this Book 2, i've liked it so much i am going to town tomorrow to get Book 1 as Fred's only had number two.

Highly recommended for any one who loves hymns and wants to share them with younger generations or any one else who might otherwise be unfamiliar with them. Five stars!!!

singing songs with theological depth and lasting power really blesses me and reading about how they were composed and what the lyrics mean is inspiring. and that's what you get when you purchase this fine book.

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

i highly recommend this.
Then Sings My Soul: 150 of the World's Greatest Hymn Stories

I loved the first book in this series, this book continues the list of songs, the only downside is that there are repeats from the first book in this one so the list of new songs isn't quite as long as the cover says.

I have books one and two and love both, they are excellent, and the story behind the hymns are awesome. I highly recommend either or both.