RESTORATION
RESTORATION appears in William Walker's Southern Harmony (1835) and represents one of the most characteristic expressions of the camp meeting spiritual tradition as it was absorbed into the shape note repertoire. The tune is associated with the text 'Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy,' written by Joseph Hart in 1759, though in the American folk hymn tradition the text underwent revision and expansion to suit the exuberant, invitation-centered theology of frontier revivalism. The melody itself is
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Progressive petition for divine restoration moving from grace and joy, through trust and voice, to righteous living, culminating in empowerment for service