View source for Hymn

A '''{{w|hymn}}''' is a type of [[song]], usually [[religious]], specifically written for the purpose of adoration or [[prayer]], and typically addressed to a [[deity]] or deities, or to a prominent figure or {{w|personification}}. The word ''hymn'' derives from [[Greek language|Greek]] {{lang|grc|[[:wikt:ὕμνος|ὕμνος]]}} (''hymnos''), which means "a song of praise". A writer of hymns is known as a {{w|hymnist}}. The singing or composition of hymns is called '''hymnody'''. Collections of hymns are known as {{w|hymnal}}s or hymn books. Hymns may or may not include instrumental accompaniment.

{{Music-stub}}
{{Religion-stub}}
==Quotes==

* I sing the hymn of the conquered, who fell in the battle of life,<br>The hymn of the wounded, the beaten who died overwhelmed in the strife;<br>Not the jubilant song of the victors for whom the resounding acclaim<br>Of nations was lifted in chorus whose brows wore the chaplet of fame,<br>But the hymn of the low and the humble, the weary, the broken in heart,<br>Who strove and who failed, acting bravely a silent and desperate part.
** [[William Wetmore Story]], ''Io Victis'' (1883).

==See also==
* [[Chant]]
* [[Lyrics]]
* [[Mantra]]
* [[Music]]
* [[Singing]]

==External links==
{{Wikipedia}}
{{Commons category|Hymns}}
{{Wiktionary|hymn}}
<!-- The links below are restricted to either material that is historical or resources that are non-denominational or inter-denominational. Denomination-specific resources are mentioned from the relevant denomination-specific articles. -->
* {{cite web |url=http://www.thehymnsociety.org/index.html |title=The Hymn Society in the United States and Canada |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071215041933/http://www.thehymnsociety.org/index.html |archivedate=2007-12-15 }}
* {{cite web |url=http://www.hymnary.org |title=Hymnary.org |access-date=2020-01-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130302132527/http://www.hymnary.org/ |archive-date=2013-03-02 |url-status=dead }}—Extensive database of hymns and hymnology resources; incorporates the Dictionary of North American Hymnology
* {{cite web|url=https://play.hymnswithoutwords.com |title=Hymns Without Words - a collection of freely downloadable recordings of classic hymns for use in congrgational singing}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.hymnsocietygbi.org.uk/ |title=The Hymn Society of Great Britain and Ireland}}
* {{cite web |url=http://www.stanthonysmonastery.org/music/Index.html |title=Examples of Byzantine Music for Hymns |access-date=2006-10-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060819005005/http://www.stanthonysmonastery.org/music/Index.html |archive-date=2006-08-19 |url-status=dead }}—2000 pages of hymns in both staff and neumatic notation
* {{cite web|url=http://www.historichymns.com |title=HistoricHymns.com}}—Site with extensive hymn searching tools

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Hymns]]