But we have seen a whole congregation in tears as they sang that fine old hymn, "Taking the parting hand." Who ever saw a tear start at the bidding of a choir? It was not the pathos of the poetry ...

Watts has been described as “the liberator of English hymnody” as his hymns moved people away from simply singing Old Testament psalms ... of hymnody known as “gospel” emerged.

With a lot of churches, no matter the denomination, moving to a contemporary style of music, Brown felt people would enjoy the opportunity to sing hymns and Southern gospel songs, and he was right.

Michael Robertson grew up singing church songs out of hymn books—classics like “Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior” and “Lord, I ...