This book looks at the beginnings of the hymn in the English-speaking world, but within the context of current Irish Anglican usage. Starting at the early days of hymnody, the book takes the reader on a journey through the 'golden' period of hymn-writing, the eighteenth century, through to the 1800s. There are specific chapters on two of the best-known hymn writers, Isaac Watts and Charles Wesley as well as attention given to early Irish hymns. The whole book is written in the context of Irish Anglicanism.