Unavailable
Unavailable
Unavailable
Ebook215 pages3 hours
Simple Gifts: Great Hymns: One Man's Search for Grace
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
5/5
()
Currently unavailable
Currently unavailable
About this ebook
If there is one simple phrase that lies at the heart of this moving tribute to the pleasures of singing hymns, it is this: "Only joy." Bill Henderson, a tough man with a gentle vision, found community and religious grace as a middle-aged man while lifting his voice in church. In a book that will inspire readers to share his passion, he writes of his love of traditional hymns and how he sought to learn about their origins. This is a much-needed book about the songs of our lives and will be warmly welcomed by thoughtful people of many faiths, especially those who reject the narrow orthodoxies of religious fundamentalism.
For Bill Henderson, the researching of his favorite hymns became more than fact-finding. As the author went about his research, he learned that he had cancer. Someone slipped a note into his typewriter: "Only Joy," it read. He adopted that phrase as a motto for writing and for life. While Simple Gifts is partly a memoir, it is a work not about one man's health but about his pursuit of godliness. That the joy of congregational song aided Henderson in his recovery he has no doubt, but he offers a wider vision, one that is truly life-enhancing.
Bill Henderson grew up attending a Presbyterian church in Philadelphia with his quietly religious family. He left his faith as he became a teenager and didn't rediscover it until many decades later. What brought him back to church was the sheer pleasure he found in singing old familiar hymns with others. Some of these hymns moved him to tears, and so he decided to immerse himself in the history of Christian music.
With three themes under consideration -- Songs of Simplicity, of Wonder, and of Love -- the author begins with a look back at plain chant; the songs of Martin Luther, Isaac Watts, Charles Wesley, and others; and the emergence of modern church music. "Simple Gifts," the great Shaker hymn, opens the Songs of Simplicity section, which includes "In the Garden" as well as many Christmas carols like "O Holy Night" and Christina Rossetti's "In the Bleak Midwinter."
The amazing story behind "Amazing Grace" leads into the Songs of Wonder chapter. Also appreciated here are "Be Thou My Vision" and "How Great Thou Art." With the Prayer of St. Francis as a pretext, Henderson discusses Songs of Love: "Make Me a Channel of Your Peace," "There Is a Balm in Gilead," and "Abide With Me."
Henderson believes that many of these old hymns are in danger of being forgotten as "modern" churches have adopted rock-based music or watered-down, politically correct verses. More important, he meditates on the hymns' values as he tries to understand his own relationship with God, even as they inspired him through his bout with a life-threatening illness.
While this book celebrates mainstream Protestant hymns, it is by no means sectarian. It is about songs of the heart, songs that move us, the songs of our lives. It is about joy.
For Bill Henderson, the researching of his favorite hymns became more than fact-finding. As the author went about his research, he learned that he had cancer. Someone slipped a note into his typewriter: "Only Joy," it read. He adopted that phrase as a motto for writing and for life. While Simple Gifts is partly a memoir, it is a work not about one man's health but about his pursuit of godliness. That the joy of congregational song aided Henderson in his recovery he has no doubt, but he offers a wider vision, one that is truly life-enhancing.
Bill Henderson grew up attending a Presbyterian church in Philadelphia with his quietly religious family. He left his faith as he became a teenager and didn't rediscover it until many decades later. What brought him back to church was the sheer pleasure he found in singing old familiar hymns with others. Some of these hymns moved him to tears, and so he decided to immerse himself in the history of Christian music.
With three themes under consideration -- Songs of Simplicity, of Wonder, and of Love -- the author begins with a look back at plain chant; the songs of Martin Luther, Isaac Watts, Charles Wesley, and others; and the emergence of modern church music. "Simple Gifts," the great Shaker hymn, opens the Songs of Simplicity section, which includes "In the Garden" as well as many Christmas carols like "O Holy Night" and Christina Rossetti's "In the Bleak Midwinter."
The amazing story behind "Amazing Grace" leads into the Songs of Wonder chapter. Also appreciated here are "Be Thou My Vision" and "How Great Thou Art." With the Prayer of St. Francis as a pretext, Henderson discusses Songs of Love: "Make Me a Channel of Your Peace," "There Is a Balm in Gilead," and "Abide With Me."
Henderson believes that many of these old hymns are in danger of being forgotten as "modern" churches have adopted rock-based music or watered-down, politically correct verses. More important, he meditates on the hymns' values as he tries to understand his own relationship with God, even as they inspired him through his bout with a life-threatening illness.
While this book celebrates mainstream Protestant hymns, it is by no means sectarian. It is about songs of the heart, songs that move us, the songs of our lives. It is about joy.
Unavailable
Author
Bill Henderson
Bill Henderson is the author of a novel, The Kid That Could, and three memoirs, including, most recently, Tower: Faith, Vertigo, and Amateur Construction. He is the publisher and founder of PushcartPress and editor of the acclaimed Pushcart Prize series. He lives on Long Island and in Maine with his wife and daughter and is an elder in the Springs Community Presbyterian Church on Long Island.
Related to Simple Gifts
Related ebooks
Appalachian Hymnal Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsKneeling in Bethlehem Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Song to Sing, a Life to Live: Reflections on Music as Spiritual Practice Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTurn Your Radio On: The Stories Behind Gospel Music's All-Time Greatest Songs Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Singing Our Faith: Hymns for Each Life Season Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSongs for the Waiting: Devotions Inspired by the Hymns of Advent Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings28 Hymns to Sing before You Die Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Then Sings My Soul, Book 2: 150 of the World's Greatest Hymn Stories Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Church Year in Limericks Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsI Will Bring You Home: Songs of Prayer, Stories of Faith Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHeaven Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Sankey’s Favorite Hymns and Songs Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings100 All-Time Favorite Hymns Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Hymns of the Christian Life No.2 Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Praying Twice: The Music and Words of Congregational Song Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBe Still, My Soul: The Inspiring Stories behind 175 of the Most-Loved Hymns Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Then Sings My Soul: 150 of the World's Greatest Hymn Stories Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe United Methodist Music & Worship Planner 2022-2023 NRSV Edition - eBook [ePub] Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Otterbein Hymnal For Use in Public and Social Worship Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPrepare! 2023-2024 NRSVue Edition: An Ecumenical Music & Worship Planner Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe New National Baptist Hymnal 21st Century Edition Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The United Methodist Music & Worship Planner 2019-2020 CEB Edition Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Voice of Our Congregation: Seeking and Celebrating God's Song for Us Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5101 Christian Hymns, A to H Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThen Sings My Soul Prayer Journal: 52 Hymns that Inspire Joyous Prayer Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Carols of Christmas: A Celebration of the Surprising Stories Behind Your Favorite Holiday Songs Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5For Those Tears I Died: The Amazing Story About How One Song Brought Healing to Millions and Birthed Contemporary Christian Music Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSinging the Faith: Sermon Hymns for Every Sunday Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Complete Book of Hymns Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Sisters In Song; Women Hymn Writers Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Music For You
A Strange Loop Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Music Theory For Dummies Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Weird Scenes Inside The Canyon: Laurel Canyon, Covert Ops & The Dark Heart Of The Hippie Dream Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Circle of Fifths: Visual Tools for Musicians, #1 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/588 Piano Classics for Beginners Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Me: Elton John Official Autobiography Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Bowie: An Illustrated Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Dirt: Confessions of the World's Most Notorious Rock Band Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Learn Jazz Piano: book 1 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Learn Guitar A Beginner's Course Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Easyway to Play Piano: A Beginner's Best Piano Primer Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Songwriting For Dummies Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Open Book Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Making Rumours: The Inside Story of the Classic Fleetwood Mac Album Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Big Keyboard and Piano Chord Book: 500+ Keyboard and Piano Chords in a Unique Visual Format Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Hal Leonard Pocket Music Theory (Music Instruction): A Comprehensive and Convenient Source for All Musicians Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Songwriting: Essential Guide to Lyric Form and Structure: Tools and Techniques for Writing Better Lyrics Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Learn Your Fretboard: The Essential Memorization Guide for Guitar (Book + Online Bonus) Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Guitar For Dummies Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Singing For Dummies Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Singing Coach Secrets Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Music Theory For Beginners Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Rememberings Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Dear Evan Hansen (TCG Edition) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Becoming a Great Sight-Reader–or Not! Learn From My Quest for Piano Sight-Reading Nirvana Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Reviews for Simple Gifts
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
5/5
1 rating1 review
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A simply told, deeply felt story of one man's search for God and grace through traditional hymns.