Hymn meter
8.7.8.7.7.7
A hymn's meter counts the syllables in each line of a stanza. 8.7.8.7.7.7 means each stanza has 6 lines of 8, 7, 8, 7, 7 and 7 syllables — 44 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.
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Pick the words, then choose a tune from the list in the player.
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Tunes in 8.7.8.7.7.7
8 hymns in 8.7.8.7.7.7
- Hark! Ten Thousand Harps — Hark! ten thousand harps and voices
- Christ, a True Friend — One there is above all others
- Once in Royal David's City — Once in royal David's city,
- "Whosoever Will" — “Whosoever heareth,” shout, shout the sound!
- Through the day Thy love has spared us — Thro' the day Thy love hath spared us,
- Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty — Open now thy gates of beauty,
- Who Are These Like Stars Appearing — Who are these, like stars appearing,
- He Is Risen — He is risen, He is risen;