Just look at any newly compiled hymnbook and check out which ones were written before 1950. I bet that about half the contents will fall into that category, and more than half of those will have been written before 1900.

Of the new ones (post 1950), it will be the rousing choruses, the simple, easily remembered verses of contemplative worship and the uncomplicated arrangements of catchy tunes that will stand the test of time.

Oh, and by 'Bread of Heaven', do you mean the Bach tune 'Bread of Heaven, [on thee we feed]' or do you (as I suspect) actually mean 'Cwm Rhondda' for 'Guide me, O thou great Redeemer/Jehovah'?

Both are equaly good tunes, but one is more suited to quiet contemplation than a rattling good belter-outer.

LTS (former affiliated member of RSCM and chorister for over 30 years)