UMR Communications is offering the latest headlines in the RSS format.
Reviews
BOOK REVIEW: New book about hymns sheds light on presidents C. Michael Hawn, Apr 10, 2009
Presidential Praise: Our Presidents and Their Hymns C. Edward Spann and Michael E. Williams Sr. Mercer University Press, 2008
By C. Michael Hawn UMR Columnist
United Methodists should recognize the title of George W. Bush’s autobiography, A Charge to Keep, as the partial title of one of Charles Wesley’s best-known hymns and an annual conference favorite. This title choice is but one indication of the role hymns have played in the lives of the presidents.
Presidential Praise: Our Presidents and Their Hymns provides us with a glimpse into the faith of presidents of the United States. At the funeral of Franklin Roosevelt, the presiding minister stated, “You can tell the kind of man he was by the hymns he loved.” Hymn lovers will find this to be a fascinating book providing insight into the spiritual life of the presidents who have helped to shape this country.
Michael Williams Sr., dean of humanities and social sciences and professor of history at Dallas Baptist University, provides a brief biography, the role of faith and a summary of the salient accomplishments and problems of each presidential administration from George Washington through George W. Bush.
C. Edward Spann, retired dean of the College of Fine Arts at Dallas Baptist University, continues with a discussion of the role of music in the life of each administration, the documented role of hymns in the personal and worship in the lives of each president, and background on each hymn and hymn tune selected.
As a lover and scholar of hymns, I was at first skeptical as to how the authors might document their findings and what this project might demonstrate. How do you discover what hymns were loved by all of the presidents? Dr. Spann has relied heavily, though not exclusively, on a slender, out-of-print volume by John Benjamin Merrill, Our Presidents and Their Hymns (1933), for the hymn interests of Presidents George Washington through Franklin Roosevelt.
The book Music in the White House: A History of the American Spirit by Elise K. Kirk (1986) provided the basis for much information about the musical abilities and tastes of the presidents, as well as an understanding of the role of music within formal functions held in the White House during each administration.
Dr. Spann also consulted family members, presidential libraries and many other sources in determining the hymnic preferences of Presidents Truman through George W. Bush. The result is a fascinating journey through presidential administrations through the lens of music, faith and hymns.
During her long lifetime (1820-1915), Methodist hymn writer Fanny Crosby had an extraordinary relationship with several presidents, either directly or through her hymns. These presidents included John Tyler, James Polk and Grover Cleveland.
She even penned poems in honor of some presidents. Her hymn, “Safe in the Arms of Jesus,” was played by the Marine Band in Cleveland following James Garfield’s assassination and sung by the Fisk Jubilee Singers for Chester Arthur.
The accounts of each president’s faith perspective and political views are presented in an even-handed manner. The evangelical lens of the authors is apparent in some ways, but is helpful and applied carefully, adding understanding to the spirituality of the presidents’ lives. The accompanying CD, recorded by students from Dallas Baptist University, is a welcome addition to the book, and provides an aural compendium of the presidential hymns.
For those who will never read a presidential biography, the panorama of the accomplishments and failures of the presidents would be most informative. For those who love hymns, the choices of the hymns and the information on each hymn and tune writer is of great interest.
For those who are looking for insight into the spiritual nature of those who have guided this country since its inception—and therefore into the country itself—this book will be a fascinating find.
Dr. Hawn is professor of sacred music at Perkins School of Theology at SMU.
As a lover and scholar of hymns, I was at first skeptical as to how the authors might document their findings and what this project might demonstrate. How do you discover what hymns were loved by all of the presidents? Dr. Spann has relied heavily, though not exclusively, on a slender, out-of-print volume by John Benjamin Merrill, Our Presidents and Their Hymns (1933), for the hymn interests of Presidents George Washington through Franklin Roosevelt. 
