HYMNODY: PART 3: "METER"

By Tim Claubaugh

Again, as in the previous articles in this series, you may want to click here for a printable version of this article and take it to church with you so that you can reference it with the hymn examples listed in this article.

In this article, we will be looking at just traditional hymns, because traditional hymns are the hymns that use meter references.

There are two definitions of meter: one lyrical, and one musical. According to Mr Webster, the lyrical definition of meter is, “A systematically arranged and measured basic pattern…a fixed metrical pattern: verse form.” The Harvard dictionary of Music defines musical meter as, “The pattern of fixed temporal units called beats, by which the time span of a piece of music or a section thereof is measured.” Hymn singing combines these two definitions into one.

Every traditional hymn has a meter references with it. In the hymnal that we use at St. Mary (“Gather Comprehensive”), these hymn “meters” can be found at the end of every traditional hymn after the HYMN TUNE listing. For example, on # 528, “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You,” if one looks at the end of the hymn under the last staff, one will see “Tune: HYMN TO JOY 8 7 8 7 D” So “8 7 8 7 D” is the meter to this famous hymn.

What do these numbers mean?

If we take a look at the text of this hymn, we will see that each phrase alternates between 8 syllables and 7 syllables in length:
Joyful, joyful, we adore you, = 8 syllables
God of glory, Lord of love; = 7 syllables
Hearts unfold like flowers before you, = 8 syllables
Opening to the sun above. = 7 syllables

Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; = 8 syllables
Drive the dark of doubt away; = 7 syllables
Giver of immortal gladness, = 8 syllables
Fill us with the light of day! = 7 syllables

You will notice on the page in the hymnal that the meter is 8 7 8 7 D. The “D” simply mean that the same pattern is repeated. So, instead of 8 7 8 7, the actual meter is 8 7 8 7 8 7 8 7.

Other hymns with this same meter pattern that we sing are: # 626 There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy (hymn tune: IN BABILONE); # 663 As a Fire is Meant for Burning (hymn tune: BEACH SPRING); # 783 Sing of Mary, Pure and Lowly (hymn tune: PLEADING SAVIOR) and # 853 Alleluia! Sing to Jesus (hymn tune: HYFRYDOL).

Other frequently used meters are:

Common Meter (listed as “CM” in hymnals) which is 86 86. One such beloved hymn is # 612 Amazing Grace (hymn tune: NEW BRITAIN):
Amazing Grace! How sweet the sound, = 8 syllables
That saved a wretch like me! = 6 syllables
I once was lost, but now am found, = 8 syllables
Was blind, but now I see. = 6 syllables

Other hymns with this meter are # 343 Joy to the World (hymn tune: ANTICOH); # 484 (hymn tune: DIADEM); and # 635 (hymn tune: NEW COLUMBIA)

Common Meter Double (listed as “CMD”) which is 86 86 86 86. Number 646 I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say (hymn tune: KINGSFOLD) is one such hymn.
I heard the voice of Jesus say, = 8 syllables
“Come unto me and rest; = 6 syllables
Lay down, O weary one, lay down = 8 syllables
Your head upon my breast.” = 6 syllables
I came to Jesus as I was, = 8 syllables
So weary, worn and sad; = 6 syllables
I found in him a resting place. = 8 syllables
And he has made me glad. = 6 syllables

Other hymns with this meter are # 367 It Came Upon the Midnight Clear (hymn tune: CAROL); and # 890 America the Beautiful (hymn tune: MATERNA).

One final example (and not the last one that could be given by any means!) is the Long Meter (LM) which is 88 88. We’ll use the hymn # 469 Come Holy Ghost (hymn tune: LAMBILLOTTE) as an example.
Come, Holy Ghost, Creator blest, = 8 syllables
And in our hearts take up thy rest; = 8 syllables
Come with thy grace and heav’nly aid = 8 syllables
To fill the hearts which thou hast made, = 8 syllables
To fill the hearts which thou hast made. = 8 syllables

Other LM hymns include # 430 I Know That My Redeemer Lives (hymn tune: DUKE STREET); # 747 All People That on Earth Do Dwell (hymn tune: OLD HUNDREDTH); and # 698 Take Up Your Cross (hymn tune: O WALY WALY).

There is a complete list of all metered hymns in the back of the hymnal in the “Metrical Index of Tunes (# 903).

The next article in this series will be on “Cross Tuning.”