Phrasing Text with Tune

As mentioned earlier, a hymn includes both text and tune. In traditional congregational hymn singing, one does not occur without the other. However, an organist plays a musical instrument that is not capable of producing text. For this reason, the text may be easily neglected by the organist.

The best hymn playing occurs when the organist is “playing the text” as well as the music. Although she cannot produce the text through the organ, she can reflect the text in her playing. Then, as the congregation sings both text and music, and as the organist reflects the text in the music, a high degree of unity occurs that inspires and encourages interest in hymn singing.