PREFACE
These hymns have been chosen by the Student Christian Movements of the whole world.
The original text of each hymn is accompanied by two translations. As a rule, only English, French and German have been used for the translations, but a few exceptions have been made in cases where a specially popular translation existed in other languages. In some instances we have preferred to publish an existing adaptation rather than have a new translation made. Of the 64 hymns, 55 appear in German, 56 in English, 49 in French, and 32 in other languages.
For the musical settings, we have made a point, as far as possible, of going back to the original or oldest version, except in the case of harmonisations taken from Bach’s Passion music. It has sometimes been necessary to change the barring in accordance with the laws of French prosody and to suit the translations. These modifications have never been made without the consent of the composer concerned, except where the copyright had already lapsed.
We wish to express our thanks to the composers, authors, translators and publishers who have given us permission to use music or words of which they possessed the copyright, and hope that we have not inadvertently infringed any such rights. Our collection owes much to the help of M. J. E. Siordet and Dr. Karl Fries, the editors of «Laudemus», to the kindness of the editors of the «Recueil Laufer», and above all, to the generous cooperation of M. L. Monastier-Schrœder. To all these we offer here our warmest thanks.
May these hymns, voicing the inspiration of many churches, many nations, many races, symbolise the union of all Christians in the peace of Jesus Christ.
On behalf of the Committee of the World’s Student Christian Federation,
