Introduction: Retuned Hymns – A Brief Description

(The following is a brief primer on the “retuned hymn” movement. If you are interested in hearing more, check out cardiphonia.bandcamp.com or on your streaming platform of choice!)

The song of the church has always had an expansive relationship between text and tune. With each generation negotiating the fixed or fluid relationship between prose and praise.  In the last twenty years or so a particular movement of sacred song referred to as the “retuned hymn” movement has sprung up from the vineyard of the church.  

In this iteration of worship, songwriters have enlisted the help of hymn-writers from ages past to plum the depths of scripture and devotion when the work of poets more readily sought the whole counsel of God.  

This vast trove of hymnic text offers a wide horizon of topics to curate – from hymns of lament, to the psalms, to the narrative turns of the church year.  Our recent project, and a sister compilation from our friends Cardiphonia explores texts collected in the hymnal “Resurgit” that gather hundreds of years of texts extolling the Resurrection. 

Resurgit has its roots in Latin and calls out with intensity: Rescusitate! Reappear! Ressurect! 

We hope that these hymns both nurture and expand your love and wonder at the glory of Christ’s risen life!

By Bruce Benedict