• If you know the first 4-6 words of the text, search:
  
  Find texts where the - HTI Text Code - starts with - (type initial letters of
  the first first 4, 5, or 6 words)
  
  Example: "All people that on earth do dwell" = "APTOED"
  
  
• If you are more confident of another word or string of words in the first two lines of the hymn, search:
  
  Find texts where the - Text - contains - (type two or three CONSECUTIVE words from the first two lines)
  
  
• If you can't find the text by these methods, this may be because of the HTI Text Conventions (see below). Or it may be because the text wasa used with this tune only in books printed after 1820.
  
  
• The HTI is not an index of hymn texts. To find out more about a hymn text and its origins and use, try the Dictionary of American Hymnology
  

HTI TEXT SPELLING
AND CODING CONVENTIONS

Spelling

Modern British spelling has been used for all words. Some words with alternative spellings have been standardized: blessed (2 syllables), blest (1 syllable), Emmanuel, enthroned, ensure, hallelujah, inquire, Zion. O is used for vocatives (O Lord), oh for exclamations (oh, what a glorious day).

Apostrophes are used when a syllable is eliminated: for instance, e'er, ev'ry, pow'r, heav'n, wand'ring, th'eternal; but loved, not lov'd.

Coding

Use the first letter of each word. Sometimes it is uncertain whether something is one word or two. In general, hyphened groups count as two words. When there is an apostrophe joining two words, count them as one if the apostrophe replaces the beginning of the second word (I'd); count them as two if it cuts off the end of the first word (th'eternal).

Examples:

Counted as 1 word:
____________________

awhile
dayspring
everyone (= all people)
everything (= all things)
goodwill
he'll, he's
however
I'd, I'll, I'm, I've
it's
methinks
myself
ourselves
thou'lt, thou'rt
threescore
thyself
'tis, 'twas, 'twere, 'twould
today, tonight
we'd, we'll, we're, we've
whate'er, whatever
where'er, wherever
whoe'er, whoever
whoso, whosoever

Counted as 2 words:
____________________

a-pleading
all-seeing, all-wise [etc.]
every one (= each one)
every thing (= each thing)
evil-doers
for ever
guardian-like
heav'n-born
long-expected
loving-kindness
th'almighty
th'eternal
t'adore, t'appear