Hymn meter
8.7.8.7 with refrain
A hymn's meter counts the syllables in each line of a stanza. 8.7.8.7 with refrain means each stanza has 4 lines of 8, 7, 8 and 7 syllables — 30 in all, followed by a refrain with its own pattern. 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.
Tunes in 8.7.8.7 with refrain
18 hymns in 8.7.8.7 with refrain
- Even Me — Lord, I hear of show'rs of blessing
- Shall We Gather at the River? — Shall we gather at the river
- The Great Physician — The great Physician now is near,
- Take the Name of Jesus with You — Take the name of Jesus with you,
- Let the Lower Lights Be Burning — Brightly beams our Father's mercy,
- 'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus — 'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
- I Surrender All — All to Jesus I surrender,
- I Will Sing Of My Redeemer — I will sing of my Redeemer
- There Shall Be Showers of Blessing — "There shall be showers of blessing:"
- When We All Get to Heaven — Sing the wondrous love of Jesus,
- The name of Jesus — There is no name so sweet on earth,
- My Savior's Love — I stand amazed in the presence
- What Child Is This — What Child is this, who, laid to rest,
- The Open Gate — There is a gate that stands ajar,
- Far and Near the Fields Are Teeming — Far and near the fields are teeming
- What a Wonderful Savior — Christ has for sin atonement made,
- Blessed Quietness — Joys are flowing like a river,
- Old Time Power — They were in an upper chamber,