Final answer:
Our knowledge of hymnody in cognate literature comes from historical texts, missionary activities, cultural adaptations, and scholarly analyses that reveal the diverse origins and influences, including European, African American, Jewish-Sibylline, and Orphic-Eleusinian traditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Our knowledge of hymnody and its history, according to the cognate literature, comes from a variety of sources. Some of these are historical texts and anecdotes, such as the Song biographies of eminent monks, which provides insights into religious chants and practices. Hymnody was also influenced by the spread of gospel by missionaries into different communities, exemplified by the reference to English hymn writers like Issac Watts. The cultural exchange and modification of hymnody are noted in the adoption and adaptation of European hymns by African American slave communities into a unique form of musical expression that contributed to the creation of new musical genres like the blues.
Additional understanding of hymnody comes through the study of historical documents, such as the work of a 10th-century priest, Aldred, who provided translations of Latin texts and gave insight into the production of religious manuscripts. These documents highlight the importance of understanding the origin and cultural context of hymn texts, especially those from European writers. We also learn from references to figures such as Virgil and the influence from diverse literary and religious traditions, including Orphic, Eleusinian, and Jewish-Sibylline literature.
These multidimensional sources, ranging from firsthand accounts and transcriptions to historical criticism and scholarly analysis, shape our comprehensive understanding of the evolution and variation of cognate literature and hymnody across different cultures and time periods.