Praise - I forgot a few things in the PM that may be helpful.

Here are some links where you can hear what the hymns sound like:

• The Cyber Hymnal http://www.tch.simplenet.com--Liland linked to this one also.
• Southern Harmony http://www.ccel.org/s/southern_harmony/sharm/sharm/---T in Oklahoma (Okiemockbird) shared this link.
• Amazing Grace MIDIs http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Agora/1100/singing.htm---Escamillo (Andrés) shared this one with us. Still need to hear him sing it on HearMe!
• Hymnsite http://www.hymnsite.com/

There are several books which explain the stories behind hymns. I don't have one, but am always interested in these stories, especially Christmas Carols. The Cyber Hymmal has some of these histories.

Murray - I love the hymns hijacked from the old English and Irish tunes.

• Be Thou My Vision - Irish
  O Sing a Song of Bethlehem (Kingsfold) - an English melody arranged by Ralph Vaughan Williams - many hymns are set to this tune - just look for RW Williams or Kingsfold in the back of any hymnal - you'll probably get the most hits in an Episcopal Hymnal.
• I Vow to Thee My Country - hijacked from Holst's "The Planets" which was in turn another old English melody.

  Liland - I'm saving this thread for sure. You seem to be familiar with the Beachspring tune for Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy. As I mentioned above, the two versions are in the Baptist Hymnal on facing pages and make a beautiful medley because one is in a minor key and the other major. The Beachspring tune was the background music in Ken Burns' Lewis and Clark special. I also wrote the Cyber Hymnal asking for this one. It's now in there, but you have to go to the Come Ye Sinners page and then click again to get to Beachspring tune.

  Had enough yet, Praise?