Short Meter (6.6.8.6) with refrain

A hymn's meter counts the syllables in each line of a stanza. Short Meter (6.6.8.6) with refrain means each stanza has 4 lines of 6, 6, 8 and 6 syllables — 26 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.

Short Meter is Common Meter with a shorter first line: six, six, eight and six syllables. The compact form suits direct, memorable texts such as “A Charge to Keep I Have” and “Blest Be the Tie That Binds”.

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.