Alternate Tunes for Advent Hymns of the LBW

by The Rev. Thomas L. Weitzel
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

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Ever since the publication of the Lutheran Book of Worship (1978), people have complained about the Advent section of Hymns. It was a major change for those previously familiar with the Service Book and Hymnal (1958).  

The challenge, of course, is the shortness of the season in which to even learn these hymns. One of the ways in which I have managed to assist in that area has been to plan the last hymn of one Sunday to be repeated as the first hymn on the next Sunday, thus giving two opportunities for each at four of the hymns to be learned and sung.

But even 20 years of this hymnal have not stilled the complaints about this section. One of the constant requests I have received has been to give alternate familiar tunes for the texts that are there. Below is just such an offering. All the hymns in the section are listed, although some simply do not match up with alternates. The Hymn No. and Title are listed first, following by the meter of the hymn. Indented underneath are familiar alternate tunes that might be employed.

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22 The Advent of Our God           Short Meter (SM)

          309 Lord Jesus, Think on Me

          368 I Love Your Kingdom, Lord

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23 O Lord, How Shall I Meet You           76 76 D

          495 Lead on, O King Eternal

          369 The Church’s One Foundation

          503 O Jesus, I Have Promised

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24 Come, O Precious Ransom           78 78 77

          535 Holy God, We Praise Your Name

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25 Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers          76 76 D

          251 O Day of Rest and Gladness

          389 Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus

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26 Prepare the Royal Highway           76 76 77 66

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27 Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending           87 87 12 7

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28 Savior of the Nations, Come          77 77

          379 Spread O Spread, Almighty Word

          130 Christ the Lord Is Risen Today!

          406 Take My Life, that I May Be

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29 Comfort, Comfort Now My People          87 87 77 88

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30 Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus           87 87 D

          358 Glories of Your Name Are Spoken

          551 Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee

          315 Love Divine

          499 Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing

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31 Wake, Awake           PM

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32 Fling Wide the Door          88 88 88 66

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33 The King Shall Come           Common Meter (CM)

          69 I Am So Glad Each Christmas Eve

          39 Joy to the World (must repeat last phrase)

          320 O God, Our Help in Ages Past

          559 O, for a Thousand Tongues to Sing

          464 You Are the Way

          98 Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed

          34 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

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35 Hark, the Glad Sound!           Common Meter (CM)

          39 Joy to the World (must repeat last phrase)

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36 On Jordan's Banks the Baptist's Cry           Long Meter (LM)

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37 Hark! A Thrilling Voice is Sounding           87 87

          wov 735 = SBH tune to this same text

          494 Jesus Calls Us O'er the Tumult

          104 In the Cross of Christ I Glory

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38 O Savior, Rend the Heavens Wide          Long Meter (LM)

          51 From Heaven Above to Earth I Come

          363 Christ Is Alive!

          36 On Jordan's Banks

          403 Lord, Speak to Us, that We May Speak

          530 Jesus Shall Reign

          230 Lord, Keep us Steadfast in Your Word

          260 Awake, My Soul, and with the Sun

          565 Praise God from whom all Blessings Flow

          278 All Praise to Thee, My God, This Night

          356 O Jesus, Joy of Loving Hearts

          433 The Church of Christ, in Every Age

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