Library displays Bailey Collection of Hymnology
Ernie R. Bailey |
Dr. Ernie Bailey, archivist at Murray State University, donated his personal library of over 1000 hymnals to originate the Bailey Collection of Hymnology in 1992. Part of this collection will be on display in the library during Summer Celebration. Dr. Bailey wrote the following history of the hymnals in the collection:
On both sides of the Atlantic, the spring of 1861 was highly significant but for vastly different reasons. The single greatest tragedy in American history, and one which continues to impact American life in a myriad of negative ways, had its beginning in South Carolina on April 12th of that year. On March 20, 1861, a little noticed publishing event occurred in London which, happily, continues to this day to impact the entire world of Christian hymnody in innumerable positive ways. On this date, what has arguably become the most influential hymnal ever published, made its appearance.
An outgrowth of the Oxford or Tractarian Movement within the Church of England, Hymns Ancient & Modern, often referred to as A&M, had a most modest and inauspicious beginning but, due to a number of fortunate circumstances & decisions, this hymnal, in all its revisions, has now taken its place alongside the works of Shakespeare, the King James Bible & the Oxford English Dictionary as having exerted the most influence on the development of modern English. No single hymnal in English has been more widespread or has sold more copies worldwide. Wherever the influence of the British Empire was felt during the mid-to-late Victorian era, A&M was to be found. Indeed, records indicate that at least 25 million copies are said to have been sold between 1861 and 1875 and, although some printers’ records have not survived, estimates are that a minimum of 200 million copies of the various editions have been printed to date.
A&M had the good fortune of having had some of the greatest names in Victorian hymnody numbered among its composers, editors & compilers. William Henry Monk (1823-1889), John Bacchus Dykes (1823-1876), Henry W. Baker (1821-1877) & William Walsham How (1823-1897) are names that have long been associated with the early editions. A number of modern-day classic hymns or hymn tunes were either introduced or first popularized in early editions of A&M. Indeed, the two best known examples, which have now entered our repertoire of classic hymn tunes, are Monk’s EVENTIDE (Abide with Me) and Dykes’ NICAEA (Holy, Holy, Holy.)
From the beginning, the physical production of the book was entrusted to some of Britain’s most venerable music engravers, typesetters & publishers. For well over a century names such as Novello, Novello & Company, Novello & Ewer & William Clowes & Sons made their contributions to the success & longevity of the book.
One little-known aspect of A&M’s history is the fact that the hymnal has never been the official hymnal of the Church of England. Technically speaking, the church has never had an officially approved hymnal. From the very beginning, A&M has been an independent enterprise in no way controlled or owned by the church and this fact is thought by many to have contributed to the hymnal’s staying power & its phenomenal success.
Major editions, supplements and revisions have appeared in 1861, 1868, 1875, 1889, 1904, 1916, 1922, 1950, 1983 and 2000. As is customary with many British hymnals, the book has been issued in a wide variety of sizes, styles, formats and bindings to suit the needs of various constituencies.
It is unthinkable that any respectable hymnology research collection in English could be without at least the major editions and revisions of A&M and those who have assembled the Bailey Hymnology Collection here at Lipscomb have made an effort to build as comprehensive a set as possible. The collection currently contains at least one copy of all major editions with the exception of the 1st one of 1861 and this one will be added when a copy can be located.
Without doubt, the jewel of our A&M holdings has to be the large and lavishly produced presentation copy of the 1875 edition. This copy, accompanied by some detailed and quite unusual provenance documentation, came to the collection through the generosity of Tom Fettke of Nashville, one of the major benefactors of the collection.
Not surprisingly, A&M has been the most reviled and extolled hymnal in history as well as the most written about. Those interested in doing more in-depth research into the history of this hymnal against which all others are compared, have at their disposal numerous articles, books, theses and dissertations, some of which are included here in the Bailey Hymnology Collection.
Ernie R. Bailey,
Murray, Kentucky
Librarian - Assistant Professor
Murray State University
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