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Pope Saint Paul VI (3 April 1969): “Although the text of the Roman Gradual—at least that which concerns the singing—has not been changed, the Entrance antiphons and Communions antiphons have been revised for Masses without singing.”

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Views from the Choir Loft

Arundel hymns

Veronica Brandt · April 26, 2013

THE ADVERTISING copy for a Catholic hymnbook published in 1905:

Arundel Hymns, chosen and edited by Henry Duke of Norfolk and Charles T. Gatty, with Introductory letter from Pope Leo XIII., Preface, etc. Complete in one volume (553 pages), price 6s. net. Parts I to VII. 1s. each. Published by Boosey & Co., 295 Regent Street, London, W.

Also, listed in the adverts in the back:

Words only, Complete Edition. Price in leather, with gilt edges, and printed on special paper, 2s.; in cloth, 1s.; in stiff paper 9d.

Words only, Abridged Edition, suitable for poor Missions. Price, in cloth 6d.; in stiff paper, 3d.

Arundel Masses — William Byrd’s Mass for 3 voices and Missa de Angelis.

Arundel Antiphons, simple settings by classical composers, with Latin words.

I haven’t seen the rest of these books, only the complete one volume edition thanks to the Internet Archive. I don’t have a picture of the original binding, but here is the copy I put together through Lulu.

The Church of England beat us to writing the first big collections of English hymns and we couldn’t just copy. So Catholic hymn books from around the time of Catholic emancipation have a difficult task. To try collect a distinctly Catholic collection of hymns from the bits left over by the heretics and schismatics.

This is an over simplification. Catholics have a huge treasury of hymns in Latin and these had been translated into English by quite a few scholars. But a persecuted Church who had been excluded from higher education for so long looked upon these with suspicion.

Enter the fifteenth Duke of Norfolk a descendant of St Philip Howard, 20th Earl of Arundel who died in the tower of London in 1595. At long last the government permits Catholic churches to be built, so he builds one. The Church of Our Lady and St Philip Neri, built in 1868-1873, now serving as Arundel Cathedral. You can see it on the cover of this paperback copy in the picture.

They need hymn books, so he teams up with a learned antiquarian to produce a new book. In some ways it is quite impractical. Such a mixture of favourite poems and hymns. Little motets by William Byrd alongside “Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, bless the bed that I lie on.” Most are given in four parts. Some poems are left without any music-maybe just for the edification of the reader. But such a mixture of styles offers something for everyone. I’m probably not the only one to have grown up reading the hymnbook during Mass – so it serves as a prayer book too. It’s also designed for use in Catholic Schools so even has a song praying for fair weather for the summer holidays “From rain and sadness, keep us free and send the sun to cheer us.”

        1.  Click here to view on Open Library.

        2.  Click here to buy a tidied up copy from Lulu.

They may have overdone it in providing alternative tunes. Most have at least one tune spare in case the first doesn’t fit.
But do we need 12 settings of Stabat Mater?
13 of Ave Maris Stella?
14 of Tantum Ergo?
15 of O Salutaris Hostia?
Maybe we don’t need them, but they are good to have.

Though it might not serve as a practical pew book in a parish today, Arundel Hymns might be more of a treat for someone who learns new hymns for fun. Maybe to dip into after a choir social night round the piano.

And if anyone has any of the other editions, contact me.

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Hymnbooks Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Veronica Brandt

Veronica Brandt holds a Bachelor Degree in Electrical Engineering. She lives near Sydney, Australia, with her husband and six children.—(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    New Bulletin Article • “14 September 2025”
    My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article (dated 14 September 2025) discusses OFFERTORY ANTIPHONS and contains a wonderful quote by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • Draft Copy (Pamphlet)
    A few days ago, I posted a draft copy of this 12-page pamphlet with citations about the laity’s “full, conscious, and active participation.” Its basic point or message is that choir directors should never feel embarrassed to teach real choral music because Vatican II explicitly ordered them to do that! We’ve received tons of mail regarding that pamphlet, with many excellent suggestions for improvement. Please feel free to chime in!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Entrance Chant” • 23rd (Ordinary Time)
    This coming Sunday, 7 September 2025, is the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). You can download the “Entrance Chant,” conveniently located at the feasts website. I also recorded a rehearsal video for it (freely available at the same website). The Communion Chant includes gorgeous verses in FAUXBOURDON. I attempted to create a rehearsal video for it, and it’s been posted at the feasts website, called by some: “church music’s best kept secret.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Karl Keating • “Canonization Questions”
    We were sent an internet statement (screenshot) that’s garnered significant attention, in which KARL KEATING (founder of Catholic Answers) speaks about whether canonizations are infallible. Mr. Keating seems unaware that canonizations are—in the final analysis—a theological opinion. They are not infallible, as explained in this 2014 article by a priest (with a doctorate in theology) who worked for multiple popes. Mr. Keating says: “I’m unaware of such claims arising from any quarter until several recent popes disliked by these Traditionalists were canonized, including John XXIII, Paul VI, and John Paul II. Usually Paul VI receives the most opprobrium.” Mr. Keating is incorrect; e.g. Father John Vianney, several centuries ago, taught clearly that canonizations are not infallible. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen would be another example, although clearly much more recent than Saint John Vianney.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Vatican II Changed Wedding Propers?
    It’s often claimed that the wedding propers were changed after Vatican II. As a matter of fact, that is a false claim. The EDITIO VATICANA propers (Introit: Deus Israel) remained the same after Vatican II. However, a new set of propers (Introit: Ecce Deus) was provided for optional use. The same holds true for the feast of Pope Saint Gregory the Great on 3 September: the 1943 propers (Introit: Si díligis me) were provided for optional use, but the traditional PROPRIA MISSAE (Introit: Sacerdótes Dei) were retained; they weren’t gotten rid of. The Ordo Cantus Missae (1970) makes this crystal clear, as does the Missal itself. There was an effort made in the post-conciliar years to eliminate so-called “Neo-Gregorian” chants, but (contrary to popular belief) most were retained: cf. the feast of Christ the King, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, and so forth.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Solemn “Salve Regina” (Chant)
    How many “S” words can you think of using alliteration? How about Schwann Solemn Salve Score? You can download the SOLEMN SALVE REGINA in Gregorian Chant. The notation follows the official rhythm (EDITIO VATICANA). Canon Jules Van Nuffel, choirmaster of the Cathedral of Saint Rumbold, composed this accompaniment for it (although some feel it isn’t his best work).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

“To suggest, even loosely, that Catholics walk a more or less similar path to God as other religions drains martyrdom of its meaning. Why give up your life for Christ when other paths may get us to the same God? Such a sacrifice would be senseless.”

— Archbishop Charles J. Chaput

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