Rivers of Sacred Sound traces the flow of influences from East to West, from BC to AD and from wordless jubilations to the setting of texts. It takes the discussion about western chant beyond a European perspective. The text of this book, preceded by an introduction, is presented in seven chapters and covers a period of approximately five thousand years. There are many references all over the world to praising the divine with sound. Thus the starting point is the praise song, a fundamental impulse in mankind. The Rg-Veda requests that our loudest-sounding hymn be accepted, as food most delightful to the Gods. The Psalms request us to make a joyful noise unto God and to sing forth the honour of His name. Spontaneous songs became ritual events.

In an aural culture what was the role of gesture and what is its role now? There are many doors to open in pursuing these and other questions. This book opens some of them.