Where possible, each
hymn has its metre and a suggested tune
included. Of the
two the metre is the most useful if one wishes to find
alternative tunes.
The metre consists of a series of numbers that gives the number
of
syllables per line. So, for example, 7.7.7.7 means that
each
stanza has four lines each of seven syllables. Sometimes letters
are given instead, the meanings of these are shown below.
C.M
|
Common metre
|
8.6.8.6
|
S.M
|
Short metre
|
6.6.8.6
|
L.M
|
Long metre
|
8.8.8.8
|
D
|
Double
|
Pattern repeated
|
The music edition of many hymnals
gives lists of tunes and related metres.
