Gospel music can be traced to the early 17th century. Hymns and sacred songs were often repeated in a call and response fashion. Most of the churches relied on hand-clapping and foot-stomping as rhythmic accompaniment. Most of the singing was done a cappella. The word gospel comes from the Old English word godspel, which means “god-story.” The English translators of the King James Bible used the word godspel as the translation for two Greek words found in the New Testament.