Performing in Church 2
by El McMeen

Last month in Guitar Sessions, I encouraged people to consider sharing music in a church setting. I discussed some logistical issues that come up, and compared and contrasted the playing experience with giving a concert. I probably just scratched the surface, but nevertheless hope the piece was useful.

This month I would like to share some thoughts on repertoire. Actually, that is sort of a fib. I really just want to talk about my favorite hymn. It's the first tune I ever recorded in the studio; I did it at Mix-o-lydian Studios (then located in Boonton, NJ but now located in Lafayette, NJ). It was a cold December day in 1990. The tune was the opening cut on my first CD for Shanachie, called Of Soul and Spirit. Since the moral statute of limitations may have passed now, I can now confess that I got the idea for that title from Harvey Reid's fine 1988 CD, Of Wind and Water.

As people who follow my music know, I've managed to record this mystery tune a few more times, each time finding some new approach, chord progression or vibe. I may even have recorded it under different names. Oh, man, the confessions are all coming out!

The name of the tune is "Hyfrydol." A Welsh friend tells me it's pronounced Huv-rod-l, but I just can't seem to force myself to do that. Hi-frid-all is what I say, and I'm sticking to it.

According to the great site called www.cyberhymnal.org, the tune was written by Rowland Huw Prichard (1811-1887) who was born, lived, died and is buried in North Wales. In 1844, he published Cyfailly Cantorion (The Singer's Friend), a songbook for children. Around 1880, he became a loom tender's assistant at the Welsh Flannel Manufacturing Company at Holywell.

Let's not let that humble resume deceive us. "Hyfrydol" is one of the great hymn tunes of all time. I have counted at least 14 (!) hymns with the tune as the primary or an important secondary tune and must list them. In alphabetical order, they are:

Alleluia! Sing to Jesus (Lyric: Wm. C. Dix, 1867)

Blest The Man That Fears Jehovah (Lyric: The Psalter, 1912)

Call Jehovah Thy Salvation (Lyric: James Montgomery, 1822)

Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus (Lyric: Charles Wesley, 1745)

Hearts To Heaven and Voices Raise (Lyric: Christopher Wordsworth, 1872)

Holy Ghost, Dispel Our Sadness (Lyric: in Praxis Pietatis Melica, by Johann Crüger, 3rd edition, 1648)

I Will Sing the Wondrous Story (Lyric: Francis H. Rowley, 1886)

In Thy Heritage the Heathen (Lyric: Paraphrase of Psalm 79; author unknown)

Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken (Lyric: Henry F. Lyte, 1824, revised 1833)

Jesus! What a Friend for Sinners (Lyric: J. Wilbur Chapman, 1910)

Lord, Thy Glory Fills the Heaven (Words: Richard Mant, 1837)

Love Divine, All Loves Excelling (Lyric: Charles Wesley, 1747)

Not Alone for Mighty Empire (Lyric: William P. Merrill, 1911)

Praise the Lord! Ye Heavens, Adore Him (Lyric: Thomas Coram, 1796 (stanzas 1 & 2) and Edward Osler, 1836 (stanza 3)

So, here's the deal: if you learn "Hyfrydol," almost everything in the Christian setting, at least, is covered. Christmas ("Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus"); Good Friday ("I Will Sing the Wondrous Story"); Easter ("Hearts to Heaven and Voices Raise"; "Alleluia! Sing to Jesus"); funerals ("Holy Ghost, Dispel Our Sadness"); praise ("Lord, Thy Glory Fills The Heaven"); comfort in trials and tribulations ("In Thy Heritage the Heathen"; "Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken") and on and on.

I play this tune in CGDGAD tuning, usually capoed either at II or at IV, sounding in the key of A or...well .. B (Please don't ask me why; it may have something to do with the dots on the fingerboard, or something really lame like that).

I have begun to transpose some of my arrangements into a tuning that is a little more accessible, especially for classical guitarists playing nylon-string guitars- namely, "Dropped-D": DADGBE.
In fact, in 2007 a large book I have written is scheduled for publication by Mel Bay Publications: "The Art of Dropped-D Guitar."

Here is an mp3 of my playing "Hyfrydol" on my Christmas CD, The Soul of Christmas Guitar. That CD is mentioned on my website: http://www.elmcmeen.com/sacredmusic.htm

Here is the tab/music for the Dropped-D version.

I hope you enjoy this tune!

El

El McMeen http://www.elmcmeen.com http://www.melbay.com/authors.asp?author=8