'O Lord, Save the Queen... or the Kind?': Beyond Vernacular Liturgy in the Netherlands

In this article the use of language in choral evensongs in the Netherlands, outside the context of the Anglican church, will be explored in order to gain insight into processes of transformation of religiosity. The authors will explore for what reasons the English language as non-vernacular is used. Main conclusion is that the English language is used because of the beauty of sound, the ritual quality of using a non-vernacular, the evoking of an experience of contrast and sacrality. By using the English language organizers criticize the traditional reformed emphasis on words, and refer to unarticulated transcendental experiences.