Episcopal Hymnal 1982 Blue: Basic Singers Edition

I'm torn between four and five stars as I'm solidly of the opinion that this should be 4.5 stars. I'm going to err on the side of caution with 4 stars. The music is laid out well, and it's legible for congregational use. It's got tons of hymns old and new, and it also has a very wide range of service music. All-in-all, it's one of the best hymnals currently in use in the US. I will offer what I consider to be issues with it, but considering the volume of music included in the hymnal, it's a relatively minor list, though it may come across as more.The issues I have that bring it down somewhat are:1) Compared to the accompaniment edition, it is lacking a lot of service music for the smaller offices/services. This is a shame if, for instance, you want to sing the Office of Compline. That service music is found ONLY in the accompaniment edition.2) Many of the hymns have "updated" language. I get the reasoning for this; I really do. However, it seems a bit like whitewashing history to me. Considering the usage of words like "men" meaning "humans" in the Rite I service, it makes very little sense to me that the hymn is (in this hymnal) "Rise up, ye saints of God" rather than "Rise up, O men of God." Everyone understands this refers to humanity, not males specifically. Same with the changes made in "O for a thousand tongues to sing." "Hear Him, ye deaf; His praise, ye dumb, your loosened tongues employ!" Alas, no more. It is now "ye voiceless ones." For a text that's more than a hundred years old, it seems a little unnecessarily revisionist.3) A few very minor changes here and there (I assume for copyright reasons) to both music and text that aren't necessarily "inclusive language" related. "Hark! the Herald Angels Sing," for instance, has some verses completely switched around, and it's quite jolting.However, as I said, the hymnal overall is better than the vast majority of what is in use today across the spectrum of Christian denominations in the US.

With zoom Church still a reality I NEED this hymnal.

...As a Roman Catholic who often cringes in church at hymns with smarmy lyrics and tunes which only a musicologist from a Catholic women's college could love, I envy our Episcopal sisters and brothers who get to use this wonderful book every Sunday. Not only does it include some of the best church music written in English, it also includes parts for many (if not most) of the tunes. I recommend this for Catholics who are frustrated by only finding the bare-bones melodies in the hymnals in Catholic churches (usually disposable "missalettes"). You can learn the parts from this book. There are some gems here: "St. Patrick's Breastplate" (the tune used in two of its verses is the oldest extent piece of Irish music), several GOOD modern hymns, including one by W.H. Auden, as well as many old tunes arranged by Ralph Vaughn-Williams, and a lovely four-part arrangement of Bach's "Wachet Auf" ("Sleepers Wake"). I use it to learn the parts at home, so that I can sing the tenor part for some of the hymns used in my own parish. It's a great resouce for anyone who loves to sing in church.

I am very pleased with the book I purchased. I am astounded at the low price. Being new to the Episcopal Church and the Anglican tradition, the hymnal was something of a mystery to me. All Churches use the same one, so I thought I must have a copy. I got very confused at first when going to Church, with some hymns starting with "S" (ie. S23) Then I read through this book, and the layout makes great sense now. As a hymnal, it's wonderful, combining new hymns with the much more traditional Anglican hymns that have bee around since the Christianization of the British Islands. All in all, very impressed. I would recommend a copy of the hymnal to all Anglicans, especially those new to the Church.

This hymnal was not in very good condition Ann’s it only had one type of index.

Just received this Hymnal this morning and was very excited about the prospect of having a wonderful pre-Christmas serenade. Was so disappointed at the index which did not include the names of the songs and made it almost impossible to find any song. Themetic indexes cannot suffice for the actual name of the song. As a result, for the first time ever, I will be returning this item to Amazon. I am so disappointed indeed. Will update on the return experience later.I HAVE SINCE FOUND THE "FIRST LINE INDEX" ON PAGE 954. THIS HAS HELPED TREMENDOUSLY AS THE CONTENT IS COMPREHENSIVE AND CONTAIN JUST ABOUT EVERY CLASSIC HYMN I KNOW. THIS IS NOW DEFINITELY A KEEPER.

It is the same as we have in church and it is a great convenience to have at home and follow along with the music while I am home isolating. The book was not new, but in good enough condition to be satisfied with my purchase.

I am an Episcopal Priest, so I use this book every week in church. I have used it ever since it appeared in 1985. I sang in the choir before I went to seminary, and I sang in my undergraduate university choir before seminary as well. I play the piano and the organ, too, so music in general and church music in particular are things I love.So, why only three stars? For a denomination with a rapidly aging constituency it is too heavy, way too heavy. I recommend keeping a copy by your bed at night. If someone breaks into your house, throw it at their head. It will knock them out cold. Same for type size. Even young people need bifocals to read the tiny type. This is especially true given the fact that many Episcopal Churches are Victorian and dimly lit. You can't see the thing to read it.It is also the last great hymnal of the Victorian era. You won't find much that is contemporary here, and what is is often put to unsingable tunes. It is a mess, but Episcopalians are stuck with it, may God have Mercy on us.

This Hymnal 1982 is widely used in the episcopalian church and it is highly recommended that each episcopalian household gets one for use at home :-)

Impossible to expand the text or the music.Useless for reading.Am trying to figure out how to return it.