Text and Tune (Tone) in Ghanaian Hymnology – A Case Study of the Christian As$R Ndwom of the Methodist Church Ghana

Abstract

This thesis concentrated on the translation of the English hymns of the British Methodist church to the Fanti Language for the indigenes of the Fantiland. The Fanti translations for the English hymns fail to put music and language together in the terms of pitch and melodic contour. The same melody is used for all stanzas of the hymn with no consideration for the changing pitches of the text in the verses. The research methodology involved Data collection, transcription and analysis of existing African songs. Three hymns from the Christian As4r Ndwom have been transcribed and analysed. I have finally composed three songs for the selected hymns based on the points discussed in the study. The study sought to find ways of writing melodies that flow with the tonal contour of the Fanti Language without compromising the beauty of the music as well as keep its uniqueness as a single song with changing melodies to the other verses. The findings of the study helps us to have a solution to language distortion created by the unbalanced alignment of text and tune. It teaches us to create new melodies without compromising existing beauty, as well as writing melodies for all stanzas, to sound as a complete song. The study finally educates us on the background and nationalities of the translators. In conclusion, the thesis will assist students and upcoming composers improve their melody writing skills especially in the usage of African text.