Paean is a term used to describe a type of song. It comes from the ancient Greek use of the term, which was also used as the name of the healer of the gods.

Musically, the paean was a choral ode, and originally had an antiphonal character, in which a leader sang in a monodic style, with the chorus responding with a simple, informal phrase; however, later in its development, the paean was an entirely choral form. Typically the paean was in the Dorian mode (note that the Ancient Greek Dorian was different from the modern Dorian mode; see musical mode), and was accompanied by the kithara, which was Apollo’s instrument. Paeans meant to be sung on the battlefield were accompanied by aulos and kithara.

Two musical fragments of paeans survive from late antiquity: one by Limenius of Athens, and another anonymous. The fragment by Limenius has been dated to 128 BC.

Modern Paean

Paean is now used in the sense of any song of joy or triumph. It also describes a poetic foot of four syllables, one long and three short.

On this day...

• Exodus 25 - 2024
• Exodus 24 - 2024
• April 19, 2014 - 2014
• THE INITIATIVE AGAINST DESPAIR - 2009
• Genesis 25:11 - 2009
• Mark 15:23 - 2008
• compeers - 2007
• Revelation 5:12 - 2007
• Mark 8:36-37 - 2007
• Ephesians 1:5-6 - 2007