This volume investigates the hymn as a significant literary form, arguing for its enduring cultural and theological importance despite declining communal practice. J. R. Watson, a scholar of hymnody, provides a comprehensive examination of 250 hymns from the English-speaking tradition. By pairing the original texts with detailed annotations, the author establishes a framework for understanding the evolution of hymnody from the early church to contemporary times.

Experts and enthusiasts recognize this work as a foundational reference for the study of English hymnody. Readers frequently note the meticulous nature of the annotations and the breadth of the historical coverage provided by the author.