Mapping over Space and Time
In contrast, focusing on the publication history of a particular text over time is a more promising line of inquiry. In the map below, the publication history of one hymn, "My Country 'Tis of Thee," is traced over time. The tracing of hymns across traditions and over time offers a window into how the text spreads and which traditions pick up the text at which times. Sales data for the publishers would further expand the picture of where different religious texts were popular at what times.