As yet more support for a questioning attitude about Scripture, here’s a specimen for the collection of stories that — though untrue — still managed to become deeply rooted in popular belief:
An oft-heard myth about the Methodist tradition is that founders John and Charles Wesley used drinking and tavern songs as the melodies for hymns.
“The Wesleys did no such thing,” says Dean McIntyre, director of music resources at the United Methodist Board of Discipleship in Nashville, Tenn. “Given their aesthetic and theological sense, it would (have been) unthinkable for them to do so.”
However, the popular misconception has survived among Methodists, and a similar myth is often heard about Martin Luther, the reformer who was also a musician. … Pastors, musicians, worship leaders, composers and hymn writers continually voice the misconception.
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McIntyre says the legend began when a seminary or music student became confused over the musical term “bar tune” or “bar form” – a medieval pattern for poetry consisting of three or more stanzas – which became the pattern for songwriting. Someone with no knowledge of medieval poetry heard “bar form” in connection with John Wesley, and the songs became tavern songs, he says.
The “bar form” term is still used by songwriters today. The popular “Over the Rainbow” is written in this form, as are all of the classic blues. The bar form is most commonly used in hymns and folk songs, and a number of bar tunes accompanying text written by the Wesleys and Luther are found in the United Methodist Hymnal. …
From Linda Green, Music expert debunks myth that Wesleys used drinking songs, United Methodist News Service, Aug. 13, 2002. (Hat tip: Commenter “Daniel” at TitusOneNine.)
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