Isaac Watt's Hymns & Spiritual Songs (1707):
A Publishing History and a Bibliography
compiled and edited by Selma L. Bishop, Professor of
English, McMurray College
The Definitive Guide to "The People's First Hymn
Book."
Watt's Hymns of 1707 has been called "the people's
first hymnbook" (Bird). By the nineteenth century, the work
attained sales levels equal to chapbooks, not only in Great Britain
and the United States, but in all of western Europe. With few
changes, the hymns were adapted for use by numerous faiths. The
evolution and adaptation of the works reflect the moral thought of
the time.
Professor Bishop's study is arranged in five sections:
- Regular Watts, Editions 1-163 (1707-1791)
- Alteration Begins, Editions 164-242 (1792-1803)
- Alteration Arrives, Editions 243-379 (1804-1815)
- Broad Change Evolves, Editions 380-654 (1816-1962)
- Mutational Trends, Editions 655-672 (Undated)
This book contains 16 indexes and numerous illustrations.
Ordering Information
ISBN 0-87650-033-5
6 x 9, 503p, hardcover, 1974, $35.00
