The BBC Hymn Book

BBC Hymn Book (1951). Plans for this book were first laid in 1937, but work was suspended on the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939. A new small committee was later appointed to complete the work, and its members became the compilers, with Cyril Taylor* playing an important role. The book was intended for the BBC’s Daily Service, and for what were then called ‘studio services’: if regular listeners possessed a copy, they would not have to search elsewhere for the texts and tunes used in such services. However, the inclusion of hymns for the sacraments and rites of the church meant that it could be used by congregations, and it was from the outset ecumenical in character. The book had...