6.6.6.6.4.4.4.4

A hymn's meter counts the syllables in each line of a stanza. 6.6.6.6.4.4.4.4 means each stanza has 8 lines of 6, 6, 6, 6, 4, 4, 4 and 4 syllables — 40 in all. Hymnals print the meter beside each text so that a congregation can sing the words to any tune with the same pattern.

Hymns in less common meters usually have one or two tunes written for them, so they are matched to a tune more strictly. Two texts with the same numbers can still differ in rhythm — some lines stress the first syllable, others the second — so a pairing should always be sung through before it is used in worship.

Below are the hymns in our library written in this meter and the public-domain tunes that fit them. Any text can be sung to any tune listed here; press play to hear a pairing.