Between 1839 and 1846, the Times and Seasons newspaper in Nauvoo, Illinois published over 150 poems and lyrics.  Most of them were written by Latter-day Saint authors, including Eliza R. Snow, W. W. Phelps, John Taylor, and the Prophet Joseph Smith.

    For an impoverished band of settlers like the Saints of Nauvoo,  this represents an astonishing outpouring of music and literature.  Many of the hymns that were first published in the Times and Seasons are still being sung by us today, although the tunes have changed.

The tunes found in the Harp of Nauvoo cover a time span of approximately 50 years. The lyrics that were first printed in the Times and Seasons showed up again and again in later Church hymnals, including our current one - a testament to their durability. As a result, the tunes found here range from very early shape-note tunes to relatively modern congregational tunes that might sound at home in any Latter-day Saint chapel today.  In addition, a collection of ballads has been included based on popular songs of that era.