Hymn meter
Common Meter (8.6.8.6)
A hymn's meter counts the syllables in each line of a stanza. Common Meter (8.6.8.6) means each stanza has 4 lines of 8, 6, 8 and 6 syllables — 28 in all. Hymnals print the meter beside each text so that a congregation can sing the words to any tune with the same pattern.
Common Meter is the old English ballad measure: lines of eight and six syllables, alternating, usually with a da-DUM (iambic) rhythm. It is the most used meter in English hymnody — Isaac Watts wrote most of his psalms and hymns in it — which is why a Common Meter text can be sung to dozens of tunes. “Amazing Grace”, “O God, Our Help in Ages Past” and “Joy to the World” all fit it.
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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“Amazing Grace” fits every tune in this list — so does every other hymn in Common Meter. Pick the words, then choose a tune.
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Tunes in Common Meter (8.6.8.6)
ARLINGTON · Thomas Augustine Arne▶ AZMON · C. G. GläserBEATITUDO · John Bacchus Dykes▶ BELMONT · William Gardiner▶ CHESTERFIELD · Thomas Haweis▶ CONSOLATION · John WyethDUNDEE · Thomas Ravenscroft▶ EVAN · W. H. HavergalLAND OF REST · W. S. Turner▶ LEA · James Lea SummersMAITLAND · George Nelson AllenMARTYRDOM · Hugh WilsonNAOMI · Hans G. Nägeli▶ NEW BRITAIN · James P. CarrellNOX PRAECESSIT · John Baptiste CalkinPISGAH · Jerry Lowry▶ ST. AGNES · John Bacchus Dykes▶ ST. ANNE · William Croft▶ ST. BERNARD (RICHARDSON) · German▶ ST. FLAVIAN · 1563 from Day's PsalterST. PETER · Alexander Robert ReinagleWINCHESTER OLD · George Kirbye
326 hymns in Common Meter (8.6.8.6)
- Praise for the Fountain opened — There is a fountain filled with blood
- Alas, and Did My Savior Bleed — Alas, and did my Savior bleed,
- Holy Fortitude — Am I a soldier of the cross,
- Joy to the World — Joy to the world! the Lord is come:
- O for a Thousand Tongues — O for a thousand tongues to sing
- Amazing Grace — Amazing grace! how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me!
- How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds — How sweet the name of Jesus sounds
- Walking with God — O for a closer walk with God,
- Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone — Must Jesus bear the cross alone,
- O God, Our Help in Ages Past — O God, our Help in ages past,
- When I Can Read My Title Clear — When I can read my title clear
- Come, Holy Spirit, Heavenly Dove — Come, Holy Spirit, heav'nly Dove,
- O For a Heart to Praise My God — O for a heart to praise my God,
- God Moves in a Mysterious Way — God moves in a mysterious way,
- While Shepherds Watched their Flocks — While shepherds watched their flocks by night,
- Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee — Jesus! the very thought of Thee
- Running the Christian Race — Awake, my soul, stretch ev'ry nerve,
- Thanksgiving for God's Particular Providence — When all Thy mercies, O my God,
- Come, Let Us Join Our Cheerful Songs — Come, let us join our cheerful songs
- Majestic sweetness sits enthroned
- Father, Whatever of Earthly Bliss — Father! whate’er of earthly bliss
- Prayer Is the Soul's Sincere Desire — Prayer is the soul's sincere desire,
- Jerusalem, My Happy Home — Jerusalem! my happy home!
- Hark, the Glad Sound — Hark, the glad sound! the Savior comes,
- The Glad Tidings of Salvation — Salvation! oh, the joyful sound!
- The Excellency of Scripture — Father of mercies, in Thy word
- The Lord's My Shepherd — The Lord's my Shepherd, I'll not want;
- There Is a Green Hill Far Away — There is a green hill far away,
- For Victorious Faith — O for a faith that will not shrink,
- The Successful Resolve — Come, humble sinner, in whose breast,
- I'm Not Ashamed to Own the Lord — I’m not ashamed to own my Lord,
- My Meditation of Him Shall be Sweet — While Thee I seek, protecting power!
- For the Lord's Day Morning — Lord, in the morning thou shalt hear
- All Scripture Precious — How precious is the Book divine,
- Thou art the Way, to Thee alone — Thou art the way; to Thee alone
- The Heavenly Jerusalem — O mother dear, Jerusalem,
- Pleading His Gracious Name — Approach, my soul, the mercy-seat,
- This Is the Day the Lord Hath Made — This is the day the Lord hath made;
- The Christian Child — By cool Siloam’s shady rill,
- How Sweet, How Heavenly — How sweet, how heav'nly is the sight,
- According to Thy Gracious Word — According to Thy gracious Word,
- My God, the Spring of All My Joys — My God, the spring of all my joys,
- Unwearied Earnestness — Father, I stretch my hands to Thee;
- Christ, Precious to them that Believe — Jesus, I love Thy charming Name,
- The Head That Once Was Crowned With Thorns — The head that once was crowned with thorns
- The Death and Burial of a Saint — Why do we mourn departing friends,
- The Saints In Glory — Give me the wings of faith to rise
- Walk in the Light — Walk in the light: so shalt thou know
- Perfect Purification — Forever here my rest shall be,
- Instructions from Scripture — How shall the young secure their hearts,
- Through All the Changing Scenes of Life — Through all the changing scenes of life,
- Praise to the Redeemer — Plunged in a gulf of dark despair,
- Suffer the Little Children to Come Unto Me — See Israel's gentle Shepherd stand,
- The Gospel Feast — Let ev'ry mortal ear attend,
- Come, Sinners, to the Gospel Feast — Come, sinners, to the gospel feast,
- A Morning Song — Once more, my soul, the rising day
- Christ's Compassion to the Weak — With joy we meditate the grace
- O Thou, From Whom All Goodness Flows — O Thou, from whom all goodness flows,
- O God of Bethel, by Whose hand — O God of Bethel, by whose hand
- Spirit Divine, Attend Our Prayers — Spirit Divine, attend our prayer,
- The Morning of the Lord's Day — Early, my God, without delay,
- The Bible, the light of the world — A glory gilds the sacred page,
- Behold the Savior of Mankind — Behold the Savior of mankind
- I Know That My Redeemer Lives — I know that my Redeemer lives,
- Breathing after Holiness — O that the Lord would guide my ways,
- The Hope of Heaven — How happy every child of grace,
- Remember Me — Jesus, thou art the sinner's Friend;
- That Awful Day Will Surely Come — That awful day will surely come,
- Life and Eternity — Thee we adore, Eternal Name!
- Praise to the Redeemer — To our Redeemer's glorious name
- Absence from God — O Thou, whose tender mercy hears
- The Soul's Only Refuge — DEAR Refuge of my weary soul,
- As Pants the Hart — As pants the hart for cooling streams
- The Prospect Joyous — And let this feeble body fail,
- My God, How Wonderful Thou Art — O God, how wonderful Thou art,
- Calm On the Listening Ear of Night — Calm on the list'ning ear of night
- A Funeral Thought — Hark! from the tombs a doleful sound!
- Retrospection — Sweet was the time when first I felt
- Immortal Love, for ever full — Immortal Love, for ever full,
- The Witnessing and Sealing Spirit — Why should the children of a King
- Lord, While For All Mankind — Lord, while for all mankind we pray
- Looking at the Cross — In evil long I took delight,
- Lord, When We Bend — Lord, when we bend before Thy throne,
- The Incarnation — Mortals, awake, with angels join,
- And Yet There Is Room — Ye wretched, starving poor,
- God's Servants Safe By Sea or Land — How are Thy servants blest, O Lord!
- Lovest Thou Me? Feed My Lambs — Do not I love thee, O my Lord?
- The Savior's Invitation — The Savior calls; let every ear
- Great God! How Infinite Art Thou — Great God, how infinite art Thou!
- Pardoning Love — How oft, alas! this wretched heart
- O Where Are Kings and Empires Now? — O where are kings and empires now
- The Glories of Redemption — Father, how wide Thy glory shines!
- The Promised Land — Far from these narrow scenes of night,
- Our Consolation Aboundeth — When languor and disease invade
- The Faithfulness of God — Begin, my tongue, some heav'nly theme,
- Christ our Strength and Righteousness — My Saviour, my almighty Friend,
- Jesus! the Name High over All — Jesus! the name high over all,
- Again the Lord of Light and Life — Again the Lord of life and light
- Going to Church — How did my heart rejoice to hear
- O happy is the man who hears
- The Glorious Reign of Christ on Earth — Lo, what a glorious sight appears
- Lamp of Our Feet, Whereby We Trace — Lamp of our feet, whereby we trace
- Thanks for Private Deliverance — What shall I render to my God,
- Faith in Christ For Pardon and Sanctification — How sad our state by nature is!
- Blessed Are the Dead that Die in the Lord — Hear what the voice from heaven proclaims
- At the Funeral of a Young Person — When blooming youth is snatch'd away
- The Seasons of the Year — With songs and honors sounding loud,
- To Us a Child of Hope is Born — To us a child of hope is born,
- A Present Savior — We may not climb the heav'nly steeps
- Sufficiency and Freeness — O, what amazing words of grace
- Urgent Appeal — O sinner, heed the voice of God,
- Closing Conference — Blest be the dear, uniting love,
- Behold the Glories of the Lamb — Behold the glories of the Lamb,
- King of Saints — Come, ye that love the Saviour's name,
- All-sufficiency of the Gospel — The Saviour! oh, what endless charms
- Zion's Watchmen — Let Zion's watchmen all awake,
- Divine Love Making a Feast — How sweet and awful is the place,
- My God, Accept My Heart This Day — my God, accept my heart this day,
- Longing for Christ — O, could I find, from day to day,
- The Interperter — The Spirit breathes upon the Word,
- Lord, it belongs not to my care — Lord, it belongs not to our care
- Retirement and Meditation — Far from the world, O Lord, I flee,
- Submissive Resignation — O Lord, my best desire fulfil,
- The Vanity of Man as Mortal — Teach me the measure of my days,
- Timely Penitence — When rising from the bed of death,
- God My Only Happiness — My God, my portion, and my love,
- My Shepherd Will Supply My Need — My Shepherd will supply my need,
- The World Has Lost Its Charms — Let worldly minds the world pursue,
- Delight in God — O Lord, I would delight in Thee,
- Lord, as to Thy Dear Cross — Lord, as to Thy dear cross we flee,
- God is Everywhere — In all my vast concerns with thee,
- An Evening Hymn — Now from the altar of our hearts
- Thou Whose Unmeasured Temple Stands — Thou, whose unmeasured temple stands,
- Come, Holy Ghost, Our Hearts Inspire — Come, Holy Ghost, our hearts inspire;
- The Rest of Faith — Lord, I believe a rest remains
- An Evening Psalm — Lord, thou wilt hear me when I pray!
- Love to the Creatures is Dangerous — How vain are all things here below!
- Jesus, These Eyes Have Never Seen — Jesus, these eyes have never seen
- Looking to the Cross — I saw One hanging on a tree,
- Christian Love — Happy the heart where graces reign,
- Invitation to the Gospel Feast — The King of heaven His table spreads,
- This Do In Remembrance of Me — If human kindness meets return,
- Christ the Burden of the Song — Thou dear Redeemer, dying Lamb,
- The Goodness of God — Sweet is the memory of Thy grace,
- The Only Plea — Prostrate, dear Jesus, at thy feet,
- The Race That Long in Darkness Pined — The race that long in darkness pined
- Witness, Ye Men And Angels Now — Ye men and angels, witness now,
- Come, Ye That Know and Fear the Lord — Come, ye that know and fear the Lord!
- Majesty and Power — The Lord, our God, is full of might,
- Salvation Approaching — Awake, ye saints, and raise your eyes,
- Death's a Warning — Vain man thy fond pursuits forbear;
- Lord, Teach Us How to Pray Aright — Lord, teach us how to pray aright
- The Power of Faith — Faith adds new charms to earthly bliss,
- Almighty God, Thy Word is Cast — Almighty God, Thy word is sown
- God Our Portion Here and Hereafter — God, my supporter and my hope,
- O That I Knew the Secret Place — Oh that I knew the secret place
- The Holiness of God — Holy and reverend is the name
- My God, I Love Thee, Not Because — My God, I love Thee: not because
- On Opening a Place of Social Prayer — Dear Shepherd of Thy people, hear
- Thou Only Solace in Sorrow — O thou who driest the mourner's tear!
- Death and Immediate Glory — There is a house not made with hands,
- Let every tongue thy goodness speak — Let ev’ry tongue Thy goodness speak,
- All Praise to Him Who Reigns Above — All praise to Him who reigns above,
- Behold, Where in a Mortal Form — Behold, where in a mortal form
- O God, We Praise Thee, and Confess — O God, we praise thee, and confess
- A Blessed Gospel — Blest are the souls that hear and know
- When God Revealed His Gracious Name — When God revealed his gracious name,
- The Lord of Glory Is My Light — The Lord of glory is my light,
- Lord, lead the way the Savior went — Lord, lead the way the Saviour went,
- Sovereign Purposes of God — Keep silence, all created things!
- Access to the Throne of Grace by a Mediator — Come, let us lift our joyful eyes,
- Christ's First and Second Coming — Sing to the Lord, ye distant lands,
- Dear Jesus, Ever at My Side — Dear Jesus, ever at my side,
- I Love the Lord; He Heard My Cries — I love the Lord: He heard my cries,
- Lamenting Spiritual Sloth — My drowsy powers, why sleep ye so?
- Hope of Heaven by the Resurrection of Christ — Blest be the everlasting God,
- The Encouragement Young Persons Have to Seek Christ — Ye hearts with youthful vigor warm,
- Christ the Foundation of the Church — Behold the sure Foundation-stone
- Heavenly Worship — Frequent the day of God returns,
- The Goodness of God — Ye humble souls, approach your God
- Christ's Dying Love — How condescending and how kind
- Come, Thou Desire of All the Saints — Come, thou Desire of all thy saints!
- The Excellence of Scripture — Laden with guilt, and full of fears,
- Relieving Christ in His Members — Jesus, our Lord, how rich Thy grace!
- Conversion of the Jews — Daughter of Zion! from the dust
- O help us, Lord; each hour of need
- Behold! the Mountain of the Lord — Behold! the mountain of the Lord
- There Is a Book That All May Read — There is a book that all may read,
- There Is an Eye that Never Sleeps — There is an eye that never sleeps
- An Evening Song — Dread Sov'reign! let my evening song
- A Sacramental Hymn — Lord, at thy table we behold
- A Warning From the Grave — Beneath our feet and o'er our head
- Through Sorrow's Night And Danger's Path — Through sorrow's night and danger's path,
- God Hath Commanded All Men Every Where to Repent — Repent, the voice celestial cries,
- Mutual Aid — Try us, O God, and search the ground
- For a Public Fast — See, gracious God, before thy throne
- Sinai and Zion — Not to the terrors of the Lord,
- The Institution — That dreadful night before His death
- Addressing the Holy Spirit — Once more we come before our God;
- A Living and Dead Faith — Deluded souls that dream of heaven,
- Let saints on earth in concert sing
- For New Year's Day — And now my Soul, another Year
- Heaven Invisible and Holy — Nor eye hath seen, nor ear hath heard,
- Let children hear the mighty deeds
- The Prodigal Son — Afflictions though they seem severe,
- Prayer for Missionaries — Great God! the nations of the earth
- Sympathy with the Afflicted — Father of mercies! send thy grace,
- The Converted Thief — As on the cross the Saviour hung,
- O could our thoughts and wishes fly — O could our thoughts and wishes fly,
- Arise, O King of Grace, Arise — Arise, O King of grace, arise,
- Brotherly Love — Lo! what an entertaining sight
- Jesus, United by Thy Grace — Jesus, united by Thy grace,
- Profession of Sincerity, Repentance, and Obedience — Thou art my portion, Oh my God!
- The Greatness of God — Long as I live, I'll bless Thy Name,
- Christ's Commission — Come, happy souls, approach your God
- Angels' Song — "Shepherds, rejoice, lift up your Eyes,
- A Wedding Hymn — At Cana, Lord, Thou didst appear
- Lord, I Believe — Lord, I believe; thy power I own;
- Soon as I heard my Father say — Soon as I heard my father say,
- God Reconciled in Christ — Dearest of all the names above,
- How bright these glorious spirits shine!
- God's Bountiful Goodness — Fountain of mercy, God of love,
- My Flesh is Meat Indeed — Here at Thy table, Lord, we meet,
- The Joys of Heaven — Come, Lord, and warm each languid heart,
- Delight in Ordinances of Worship; or, God present in his Churches — My soul, how lovely is the place,
- He Is Risen — Ye humble souls, that seek the Lord,
- Victory Over the Fears of Death — O for an overcoming faith,
- Blest is the man, whose softening heart — Blest is the man whose softening heart
- Come, Let Us Use the Grace Divine — Come, let us use the grace divine,
- The Farewell — Ye golden lamps of heav’n! farewell,
- God is a Spirit, Just and Wise — God is a Spirit, just and wise
- New Birth — Nor all the outward forms on earth,
- Prayer heard, and Zion restored — Let Zion and her sons rejoice
- The Covenant with Abraham — How large the promise, how divine,
- The Morning Bright — The morning bright,
- Hosanna, Be the Children's Song — Hosanna, be the children's song,
- Fear Not — Ye trembling souls! dismiss your fears;
- The Saint's Trial and Safety — Unshaken as the sacred hill,
- All Praise to Our Redeeming Lord — All praise to our redeeming Lord
- Keep Me Calm — Calm me, my God, and keep me calm,
- Our Frail Bodies, and God Our Preserver — Let others boast how strong they be,
- Book of God's word and Nature — Thou lovely Source of true delight,
- The Resurrection of Christ — Hosanna to the prince of Light,
- Come, Let Us Join with One Accord — Come, let us join in sweet accord
- Indwelling Sin Lamented — With tears of anguish, I lament,
- Knowledge at Present Imperfect — Thy way, O God, is in the sea;
- Light of the Lonely — Light of the lonely pilgrim's heart,
- Priesthood of Christ — Now let our cheerful eyes survey
- The Everlasting Song — Earth has engross'd my love too long!
- The Lord Be With Us — The Lord be with us as we bend
- A Psalm before Prayer — Sing to the Lord Jehovah's name,
- "Kept by the power of God through faith into salvation" — My God! the covenant of Thy love
- Creation and Providence — LORD, when our raptur'd thought surveys
- Happy is He, whose early years — Happy is he whose early years
- And Must I Part With All I Have — And must I part with all I have,
- 'Tis by thy strength the mountains stand — 'Tis by thy strength the mountains stand,
- O God, Unseen Yet Ever Near — O God, unseen yet ever near,
- Funeral of a Child — Thy life I read, my gracious Lord,
- There Is a Safe and Secret Place — There is a safe and secret place
- Justification by Faith, not Works — Vain are the hopes the sons of men
- Safety in Union — Jesus, great Shepherd of the sheep,
- Blest day of God! most calm, most bright — Blest day of God! most calm, most bright,
- Praise for the Blessings of Providence and Grace — Almighty Father! Gracious Lord!
- Rejoicing in Hope — O joyful sound of gospel-grace,
- The Golden Gates — The golden gates are lifted up,
- Imperfection of Nature, and Perfection of Scripture — Let all the heathen writers join
- Walking in the Ways of Christ — Happy the souls to Jesus joined,
- Praise — Awake, awake the sacred song
- When Jesus Left His Father's Throne — When Jesus left His Father's throne,
- The Power and Majesty of God; or, Reverential Worship — With rev'rence let the saints appear,
- Conviction of Sin by the Law — Lord, how secure my conscience was,
- New Year's Day — Sing to the great Jehovah's praise!
- O Still in Accents Sweet — O still in accents sweet and strong
- Saints in the Hand of Christ — Firm as the earth thy gospel stands,
- The Wonders of Redemption — And did the holy and the just,
- Behold Us, Lord, a Little Space — Behold us, Lord, a little space
- Lord, all I am is known to Thee — Lord, all I am is known to Thee!
- In Memory of the Savior's Love — In mem'ry of the Savior's love,
- God's Condescension — O Thou to Whom all creatures bow
- The Contrite Heart — The Lord will happiness divine
- When musing sorrow weeps the past — When musing sorrow weeps the past,
- Awake, my heart; arise, my tongue — Awake, my heart, arise, my tongue,
- Resignation? or, God Our Portion — My times of sorrow and of joy,
- The Heart Dissolving in Love — Jesus hath died that I might live,
- The Wisdom of God in His Works — Songs of immortal praise belong
- Faith the Evidence of Things Unseen — Faith is the brightest evidence
- O how divine how sweet the joy — Oh, how divine, how sweet the joy,
- Resurrection of Christ — The Lord of Sabbath let us praise,
- The Act of Consecration — Let Him to whom we now belong
- He Makes My Soul His Care — For ever blessèd be the Lord,
- Our Father, God, Who Art in Heaven — Our Father, God, who art in heaven,
- All that I Was — All that I was, my sin, my guilt,
- At Parting with Friends — Lord, when together here we meet,
- Death and Eternity — Stoop down, my thoughts, that us'd to rise,
- He Waiteth to Be Gracious — Thy ceaseless, unexhausted Love,
- O 'twas a joyful sound to hear — O 'twas a joyful sound to hear,
- Salvation by Grace — Lord, we confess our num'rous faults,
- Christ, the Conqueror — Jesus, immortal King! arise,
- Happy the Home When God Is There — Happy the home when God is there,
- Dark Was the Night — Dark was the night, and cold the ground
- Scenes of the Resurrection — How long shall Death, the tyrant, reign
- Strait is the way, the door is strait — Strait is the way, the door is strait,
- Submission to Afflictive Providences — Naked as from the earth we came,
- Blessedness of Adoption — And can my heart aspire so high,
- My God, my everlasting hope — My God, my everlasting hope,
- Sweet Rivers — Sweet rivers of redeeming love
- Repentance — Oh, if my soul were formed for woe,
- Humility and Submission — Is there ambition in my heart?
- When God of old came down from heaven — When God, of old, came down from heaven,
- Come, let us to the Lord our God — Come, let us to the Lord ouf God
- Redemption and Protection from Spiritual Enemies — Arise, my soul, my joyful powers,
- Admission into the Church — Enquire, ye pilgrims, for the way,
- Penitence and hope — Dear Saviour, when my thoughts recall
- The promise of my Father's love
- Eternal Spirit, God of Truth — Eternal Spirit, God of truth,
- Morning: Grateful Praise — Lord of my life! O may Thy praise
- Now that the Sun Is Beaming Bright — Now that the sun is beaming bright,
- Almighty God, in humble prayer
- Come, O Thou All-Victorious Lord — Come, O thou all-victorious Lord!
- Jesu, Thou All Redeeming Lord — Jesus, thou all redeeming Lord,
- O Thou My Soul, Bless God the Lord — O thou, my soul, bless God the Lord,
- Preservation by Day and Night — To heav'n I lift my waiting eyes,
- When any turn from Zion's way — When any turn from Zion's way,
- A Song of Deliverance from Great Distress — I Waited patient for the Lord,
- Winter — Stern winter throws his icy chains
- Rejoice, Believer, in the Lord — Rejoice, believer, in the Lord,