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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

Holy Michael Archangel

Veronica Brandt · September 28, 2013

Jaume Huguet's St Michael The painting belongs to an altarpiece of Sts Michael and Stephen, originally in the church Santa Maria del Pi in Barcelona. Painted by Jaume Huguet (c.1415 – 1492) Not one, but two hymns that the omniscient Google didn’t know about, in honour of St Michael the Archangel.

The first, an unattributed gem from The English Catholic Hymn Book (W. Knott & Sons, Revised and augmented edition 1955)

1. Holy Michael, great Archangel,
Nerve thine arm and bare thy sword,
Lead us with thy dazzling legions,
In the battle for the Lord:
Sure defence and trusty safeguard,
Let thy mighty strength afford.

2. Not with flesh and blood we wrestle,
Not as man with man contend,
But against the powers of darkness,
Who on craft and lies depend:
Treachery and shame and violence,
All the cause of Hell befriend.

3. Through God’s threefold fair creation,
Through the earth, the sea, the sky,
Wander Satan’s loathly spirits,
Luring souls of men to die:
Cast them down, O Prince of Angels,
By the power of God most high.

4. All who pouring out their life blood,
More than conquer in the fight,
All who in th’ unequal combat,
Fall beneath the oppressor’s might:
Christ the King’s great Standard-Bearer,
Lead into the Holy Light!

Download the sheet music of this hymn set to the tune Regent Square HERE

The second, a translation of Te splendor et virtus Patris by F C Husenbeth (1796-1872):

1. The splendour of the Father’s rays,
Thee, our heart’s life, we gladly praise,
Jesus, our hymns to Thee we bring,
And ‘midst Thy prostrate Angels sing.

2. Ten thousand warriors armed on high,
Embattled angels fill the sky:
Michael the conquering chief appears,
On high the glorious cross he rears.

3. He with salvation’s sign unfurl’d,
The dragon down the abyss has hurled,
The rebels with their chief are driv’n,
Scathed by the lightning flash, from Heav’n.

4. Then faithful at the chieftain’s side
Pursue the hateful king of pride,
Till from the Lamb a heavenly crown
Rewards us with unquenched renown.

5. To God the Father glory give,
To God the Son through whom we live,
The like, O Holy Ghost, to Thee,
Which ever was, shall ever be.

Download this hymn set to the tune Old Hundredth HERE

What’s your favourite tribute to St Michael?

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Sheet Music 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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President’s Corner

    Liturgical Round (“Canon”) in C-Major
    Those who direct children’s choirs are always on the lookout for repertoire that’s dignified, inspired, and pleasing—yet still within reach of young choristers. Such directors will want to investigate this haunting liturgical round (PDF download) which has been married to the KYRIE from Mass VI (EDITIO VATICANA). I have provided an accompaniment, but it’s only for use during rehearsal; i.e. when teaching this round to your choristers. I also provided an organ accompaniment for the KYRIE—which some know by its trope (Kyrie Rex Genitor)—so that your congregation can take part when this round is used as a choral extension during Mass.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Latin Liturgy Association
    We note with pleasure that Mrs. Regina Morris, president of the Latin Liturgy Association, has featured—on page 4 of Volume CXXIX of their official newsletter—the three (3) terrific versions of the Stations of the Cross found in the Brébeuf Hymnal. One of the main authors for the blog of the Church Music Association of America said (6/10/2019) about this pew book: “It is such a fantastic hymnal that it deserves to be in the pews of every Catholic church.”
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Music List” • 28th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 12 October 2025, which is the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are conveniently stored at the dazzling feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    New Bulletin Article • “12 October 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 12 October 2025) talks about an ‘irony’ or ‘paradox’ regarding the 1960s switch to a wider use (amplior locus) of vernacular in the liturgy.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “American Catholic Hymnal” (1991)
    The American Catholic Hymnal, with IMPRIMATUR granted (25 April 1991) by the Archdiocese of Chicago, is like a compendium of every horrible idea from the 1980s. Imagine being forced to stand all through Communion (even afterwards) when those self-same ‘enlightened’ liturgists moved the SEQUENCE before the Alleluia to make sure congregations wouldn’t have to stand during it. (Even worse, everything about the SEQUENCE—including its name—means it should follow the Alleluia.) And imagine endlessly repeating “Alleluia” during Holy Communion at every single Mass. It was all part of an effort to convince people that Holy Communion was historically a procession (which it wasn’t).
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Canonic” • Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Fifty years ago, Dr. Theodore Marier made available this clever arrangement (PDF) of “Come down, O love divine” by P. R. Dietterich. The melody was composed in 1906 by Ralph Vaughan Williams (d. 1958) and named in honor of of his birthplace: DOWN AMPNEY. The arrangement isn’t a strict canon, but it does remind one of a canon since the pipe organ employs “points of imitation.” The melody and text are #709 in the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

The old Roman rite had the offering by the people and then, as offertory-prayer, what we call the “Secret.” The name “Secreta” means that it was said in a low voice, because the offertory-psalm was being sung. For the same reason it is not preceded by “Oremus.”

— Father Adrian Fortescue

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  • Important Quote by a Church Musician

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