Shaped Note Hymnody:
An Outline

Some examples of the fully developed 19th century gospel song include:

- To God be the glory (words by Fanny Crosby,1875; music by William H. Doane, 1875) UMH 98
- Leaning on the everlasting arms (words by Elisha Hoffman, 1887; music by A.J. Showalter, 1887) UMH 133

One of the important predecessors of the gospel song is the tradition of SHAPED-NOTE hymnody which evolved (particularly in the South) in the early 1800's and the SINGING SCHOOL tradition which is associated with the publication and dissemination of the various shaped-note hymnals. For other influences on the development of the gospel song see The American Gospel Song: A Quick Overview. See:

What is Shaped-Note Hymnody?

What is a Singing School?

To trace an example of the direct connection from Folk Hymnody - Shaped Note Hymnody - Singing Schools - Gospel Song, see:

Singers Glen