The Spiritual Song - Exploring Prophetic Worship by Mike Herron

sense, was characteristic of all ancient peoples. 11

 The spiritual song contains the elements of improvisation  Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit the singer becomes the composer  The song can follow well established styles and formulas ‘ The early church flowed freely in the spiritual song as history testifies. “According to legend, at the moment when St. Ambrose baptized St. Augustine the two spontaneously improvised the Te Deum in alternate verses. This legend is thought to refer to what was undoubtedly a practice in the early Church, namely the creation of hymns under the inspiration of strong religious feeling, somewhat the way today new phrases of text and new melodic variations spontaneously arise during the enthusiasm of a revival meeting or a folk sing.”’ 12  The spiritual song can alternate verses between two or more singers  The established melody can be modified in the spiritual song  New phrases and text can be added spontaneously

11 Donald J. Grout: History of Music 12 “ “ “

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