Introducing The Revised English Hymnal

UPDATE SPRING 2024: The full music edition is now out. We hope it has been worth the wait - thank you so much for the early feedback - so far, comments have been overwhelmingly positive. The revised timetable for the other editions now looks like this: 

Words only edition - out June 2024
All other editions   - out  summer 2024

LAUNCH EVENT: thanks to all who joined us on the 29th November 2023 at St James, Paddington, London.
A link to the film of the event is here.    

'Perhaps the greatest virtue of The Revised English Hymnal is that it remains firmly rooted in the church year, the calendar, and the liturgy. It expands and modernises a style of Church of England worship based on order, observance, and sacramental and credal fidelity. For a Church that sometimes seems over-preachy and wearily moralistic, The Revised English Hymnal reminds us that it is still possible to be set on fire by the mysteries of the Catholic creeds. The texts are as much for contemplation as for singing together in church. I would take this volume to my desert island, along with the Bible and Shakespeare.' Angela Tilby, Church Times

The Revised English Hymnal is a completely new and updated edition of the English Hymnal. Like its predecessors, it aims to be 'a humble companion' to the Common Prayer of the Church, not only in England, but everywhere the English Hymnal tradition is loved and valued around the world; not only on Sundays and feasts but for every day of the year.

About 185 of the book's approximately 680 items will be new to users of the last edition, the 1986 New English Hymnal. Just over half of the total number of hymns provide for the celebration of the Church's liturgical year, and there is a generous selection for other times, seasons and occasions as well. An enhanced Liturgical Section includes eight settings of the Eucharist, in both contemporary and traditional language, music for ceremonies of the principal festivals, and An Order for Eucharistic Devotions. In addition, office hymns are given both for seasonal and ordinary use, and a selection of contemplative and responsive chants.

The collection will be introduced not only by the Editors’ preface, but also an essay by the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, president of the Hymn Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Several helpful indexes will be included: first lines, tunes by name and by metre, authors and composers, a scriptural index, and suggested hymns for the two most commonly-used lectionaries, as well as ideas and suggestions to help those whose responsibility it is to choose hymns for the services of the Church.