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To God with Love
Children's Hymnal
Editors William
S. Haynie
and Barbara Bartlett
Released September
1995
Catalog no. 125-110 (Spiral-bound)
Price $17.50 (U.S.Spiral)
ISBN 0-9622553-6-X (Spiral)
Order now! 
Reviews
"The aim of this new children's
hymnal is to enable children to sing their faith from the earliest
ages. The songs have been selected 'with a view of reaching (children)
at their level of faith development and understanding without
being condescending.' The collection certainly matches the expectations
of its publisher and in content and presentation is a highly
professional product. It is designed for, say, 4- to 11-year
olds, and consists of 124 varied items, with a comprehensive
index of topics ranging from Advent, Alleluias, Angels, Baptism,
Biblical Names and Places (with 15 subsections) to Trinity, WarfareSpiritual,
Witness, and Word of God. So, under the theme of creation there
are 25 songs, from 'All creatures of our God and King' to 'Two
Little Eyes.' Such indexes are invaluable to worship leaders,
as are the lists of rounds and canons and of hymns and songs
that may be accompanied by optional instruments, vocal descants
or Orff instruments. Not surprisingly, both the editors are highly
experienced in this line of work. The book is easy to read, and
comfortable to hold (7" x 10", portrait stylea
very sensible size).
Children who sing from this collection will
experience a varied diet of hymnody. There is a fair sprinkling
of the standard, adult repertoire; for example, two verses of
'O Come, O come, Immanuel' and four verses of 'When I survey.'
There are several spirituals, songs adapted from folk traditions
('Amazing Grace' to O WALY WALY'), and new words to classical
melodies (William Haynie's 'Christ the Lord Is Risen' to the
ST ANTHONY CHORALE). Less successful is a version of 'All things
bright and beautirful' to a new tune, with only one verse of
Mrs. Alexander's text, followed by new words, 'Lord accept the
gifts we bring'; one wonders why such a patchwork quilt was considered
necessary. The shorter selections in the hymnal may be combined
'for programme purposes,' with the accompanist providing simple
modulations-a practical suggestion typical of the pragmatic approach
of the whole book. Some adult scoffers will shake their heads
at William Haynie's 'God's Creatures,' which contains Barbara
Bartlett's lines 'Roly poly wonder bug, God has made you nice
and snug.' But children will love it, especially if the music
is presented by an accomplished music director, such as is found
in many North American churches. I am looking forward to using
Barbara Bartlett's rap-like rhythm chant, 'The Creation Story'
('In the beginning, the Bible reads, God made the earth and the
sky and seas').
Inevitably, the two editors have provided
the bulk of the original material themselves. Their contributions
blend in well with the surroundings, perhaps rather too much
in the style of 'Jesus loves me! This I know' for some tastes,
but always well-executed and eminently singable. Of the Bartlett/Haynie
joing songs I particularly like 'Night Song,' which includes
the words 'I like to think that God has fun by turning stars
on one by one,' and 'Zaccheus' ('Up in a tall tree, just so he
could see') to a very jolly tune that could incorporate different
instruments.
The success of any hymnal is largely determined by its use, and
this book is no exception. But if the advice of the editors is
followed, children will indeed grow in faith and musical development
as they offer the words and music of these hymns and songs 'to
God with love.' Bulletin of The Hymn Society of Great
Britain and Ireland, April '96
"The person is old, very old. Reason
and reality have dimmed. Into the dimness, a song from a long-ago
childhood is sung or played. It seems to reach where nothing
else can, to spark a recognition, a connection.
This scene is played many times each day in nursing homes and
at bedsides across our land. It fascinates and intrigues me.
Music has the capacity to connect when other faculties are failing.
The music and songs of childhood are some of the most connectable.
And, time after time, those songs are songs of faith.
The songs that are sung by and with children can implant themselves
for a lifetime. That's not usually what we think about when we
select songs for children. We're more concerned with finding
a song that the children will enjoy singing, one that will engage
their energy and wiggly bodies, will illustrate a Bible story,
or relate to a season. But the importance of these songs cannot
be denied, for they are intertwined with the faith that is growing
in the lives of those who sing them.
To God With Love
is a collection of faith songs for young children. Although William
S. Haynie and Barbara Bartlett are credited with being "editors"
on the title page, they have composed text and/or tune to over
half of the 124 songs in the collection. (The rest are hymns,
traditional children's songs, and spirituals.) In their introduction,
they indicate that the songs have been used with children and
by people who work with children and they state, "To God
With Love is a building block for a child's faith and musical
development, that they may spend the rest of their life singing
praise to God."
The collection contains no information about
Haynie or Bartlett. I'd like to know more about them. My choices
for children's songs usually run along the lines of age-appropriate
hymns and hymnlets, liturgical songs, religious folk songs-a
pretty traditional stew. But I do admit to being charmed by several
of Bartlett/Haynie's songs about Biblical characters: "Zaccheus"
to a calypso-like tune, "Ol' Jonah Woke Up" with a
growly bass line, and "Methuselah" to the tune of "Do
you know the muffin man?" Accompaniments to the songs are
relatively simple and the vocal range is good for children's
voices.
The book has a convenient spiral binding,
topical indices, and is nicely laid out. It could be a useful
resource for Sunday school music leaders and in Christian nursery
schools." The Hymn, October 1996
Description
Hymns and songs for pre-school and
elementary age children that teach about Christian faith, worship,
the Bible, and also praise God, but that doesn't mean boring!
There are 124 pieces in this collection, including traditional
hymnas and carols, spirituals, and new songs that are spirited,
lively, useful, and fun. And best of all, this collection reaches
the elementary and pre-school age children at their level, without
becoming condescending. Many have chords for guitar or autoharp
and Orff instrumentation. perfect for school or home, but be
careful: the children might learn something and enjoy themselves
while doing it. Oversize (7' x 10") and large clear music
and texts.
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