Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

Part 1: Great traditions of American sacred song -- Songway: sacred-song traditions of native America -- Pilgrimage and penitence: sacred-song traditions of the Hispanic southwest -- Sacred harp singing: continuity and change in the American singing-school tradition -- "Is it going to save someone?": the black church at song -- Klezmorim and Sephardim: the Jewish music revival -- Part 2: Sacred song and contemporary American religion -- New music of the spheres: from the new age to Neo-Paganism -- Contested praise: a tale of two hymnals -- Mormons and music: maintaining and mainstreaming sectarian identity -- Troubadour for the Lord: catholic charismatics and sacred song -- The conservatory tradition: interviews with Daniel Pinkham and Neely Bruce -- Gospel music: sacred song and the marketplace -- Conclusion: American sacred song and the meaning of religious culture.