A Functional Art: Reflections of a Hymn Writer

One of the finest and most influential hymn-writers of our age, Timothy Dudley-Smith has published around 400 hymn texts. In this fascinating book, the author explores not only the writing of hymns but many other aspects including the study and singing of them. It is not a history, a text book, or an academic treatise, but the personal reflections of an experienced practitioner who has been speaking and writing on this subject, on both sides of the Atlantic, for more than fifty years. His armchair reflections draw freely on the writings of others, and in a discursive, almost conversational, style.

Table of Contents:
Why Hymns? Why New Hymns? What Sort of Hymns? Good and Not So Good Words and Music Content and Form Meaning and Language Rhyme and Metre Creativity and Criticism What of the Future?

About the Author :
Educated at Cambridge University, Timothy Dudley-Smith was ordained in 1950 as assistant curate of St Paul's Church, Northumberland Heath. From 1953 he was head of the Cambridge University Mission in Bermondsey, London, and in the 1960s served as secretary of the Church Pastoral Aid Society. In 1973 he became Archdeacon of Norwich and in 1981 Bishop of Thetford; he retired in 1991. He is a Fellow of the Hymn Society of the United States and Canada, and in 2003 was appointed an honorary vice-president of the Hymn Society of Great Britain and Ireland. In the same year he was awarded an OBE for services to hymnody.

Review :
[The back cover copy of this book] is a wholly inadequate description of one of the most important volumes about hymns and hymn-writing ever. For the avoidance of all doubt, I recommend it very highly indeed to anyone involved in hymns and planning Divine Worship . . . this is an author with a sharp perception of the place of music in worship and the effect music can have on words . . . Throughout this gripping volume there is constant reference, always in context, to other writers, not just on hymns, but on poetry and the technicalities of writing. The book is worth buying just for the chapter entitled 'Rhyme and Metre'. . . I cannot recommend this volume too highly. It is to hymns and hymnody what Bishop John Vernon Taylor's book The Go Between God is to the understanding of the place of The Holy Spirit in Christian Mission. [Dudley-Smith] writes with concision and humour, bearing the weight of a lifetime's appreciation of prose and poetry lightly and accessibly ... I am very grateful for this book — and hope that it can guide and shape poets in service of the body for many years to come. This book is a treasure trove. Few other people can set a lifetime of appreciating and, eventually, writing good hymns alongside wide-ranging insights about worship, history, theology, poetry and language, all topped off with appropriate dollops of music hall and doggerel that slip seamlessly into the narrative . . . the book is an enjoyable and educational guided walk with a most engaging expert who wears his learning lightly . . . beginning hymn writers will find invaluable help and encouragement to hone their skills . . . there are insights for people who choose hymns in worship but have never wondered what makes a good hymn in an appropriate place, while people who know their way round hymns will find new perspectives. And, at times, it does not just inspire you, it makes you smile. Timothy Dudley-Smith celebrated his 90th birthday last December; rather than cutting back on his output, [he's produced] this outstanding collection of essays. If 'essays' sounds academic, these reflections are far from that - at times one feels as if in conversation with the author . . . Timothy Dudley-Smith has read widely, thought profoundly and clearly prayed intensely about hymnody. He has also listened to other voices to whom he gives considerable space; the range of quotations from other authors is remarkable and enlivens the writing. Whether one sees him as a major voice towards the end of a great tradition â a sort-of Sibelius in the symphonic tradition - or someone who helps to reinvigorate and show the way forward for a tradition still with a glorious future, this book should be essential reading for everyone concerned with hymnody. In this elegantly written and thoughtful book, he [Timothy Dudley-Smith] reflects on what he describes as the 'functional art' of the hymn-writer . . . This is very much the work of a literary man . . . Substantial chapters explore such literary themes as content and form, meaning and language, and rhyme and metre . . . He proposes an interesting set of qualities as the marks of a good hymn: heartfelt, biblical, simple, deep, and uncontroversial . . . There is much here to enjoy in the author's rich compendium of personal anecdotes and reminiscences, quotations and reflections. There is also much to ponder in his discussion of the future of the hymn . . . As long as there are people like Tim Dudley-Smith still writing hymns that are both recognisably traditional and contemporary, there is surely a future for this particular 'functional art'. What a delight to read this book by Timothy Dudley-Smith who is rightly acclaimed as one of the finest and most influential hymn writers of our time . . . He disarmingly claims that it is not a work of scholarship or even originality; but this is to underestimate the wealth of research which permeates every page . . . It is to be hoped that A Functional Art will now be introduced to a more general readership of all those who are involved in the business of liturgy and Christian witness, especially worship leaders, church musicians, writers, editors and broadcasters. Indeed, anyone with more than a passing interest in the technicalities of writing, especially in verse form, will find this to be an invaluable source of inspiration and information. A Functional Art should be a required text for all 'creative writing' courses! . . . the hymns that Dudley-Smith cites . . . will do much to deepen and develop faith in the hearts and minds of those who use them, sing them and pray them.