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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

“Daily, Daily, Sing to Mary” • (Hymn)

Jeff Ostrowski · May 19, 2023

Y COLLEAGUE, Patrick Williams, has given me permission to share with our audience a recording his choir made of “Daily, Daily, Sing to Mary.” This famous metrical hymn is known as THE HYMN OF SAINT CASIMIR. In 2015, I wrote a massive article about this hymn’s provenance. I won’t repeat what I said there, because this hymn has such an elaborate history it could easily serve as the basis for a dozen dissertations. Roman Catholic translators—who changed the hymn into English, Polish, Greek, French, Spanish, Italian, and Hungarian—miraculously kept the original rhyme scheme!

“Non Sint In Vobis Schismata” • Readers may have noticed I don’t necessarily “see eye to eye” with Mæstro Williams when it comes to plainsong rhythm. We have attempted to share these arguments with readers in the Gregorian Rhythm Wars series. Musicians often struggle to remain charitable when they have disagreements. We’re attempting to demonstrate that it’s possible to disagree without being disagreeable—please pray for us! In any event, it’s crucial to find areas of agreement where possible. I would like to say that I think Patrick’s recording (below) is praiseworthy:

*  Mp3 Download • “Daily, Daily, Sing to Mary”
—Live recording directed by Patrick Williams.

Other Sources • Abbat Pothier’s Latin/French “Liber Usualis” (1896) includes a plainsong version of this hymn. There can be more than one good harmonization for a hymn melody. The Brébeuf Hymnal harmonization (#768) is excellent. [It can be found in the organ accompaniment volume or the choral supplement.] I’m not sure which harmonization Patrick used. The Brébeuf Hymnal also includes a “text only version,” meaning you can sing the lyrics to a different tune. By the way, someone in Spain has made a nice recording of the Latin version, and it’s interesting to hear how the singer pronounces the letter “G.” The metrical tune commonly chosen has various names, including “SUNRISE” and “LAUDES MARIAE.” Believe it or not, the hymn tune called “DAILY DAILY” is a completely different melody.

Laudate Hymnal (1942) • The Laudate Hymnal (1942) by Father Andrew Green, OSB, uses the “LAUDES MARIAE” melody for a Christmas text:

*  PDF Download • “Daily, Daily, Sing to Mary” (TUNE)

Mediator Dei Hymnal (1955) • Joseph Vincent Higginson, in his “Mediator Dei Hymnal” (1955)—which he published under the fake name of “Cyr De Brant”—adds a passing tone. Otherwise, the melody is identical.

*  PDF Download • “Daily, Daily, Sing to Mary” (TUNE)

New Saint Basil Hymnal (1958) • When it comes to “The New Saint Basil Hymnal” (1958) published by Edward C. Currie, I have serious doubts about the athletic line given to the bass section towards the end:

*  PDF Download • “Daily, Daily, Sing to Mary” (TUNE)

Dr. Theodore Marier Hymnal • Notice how Dr. Theodore Marier uses the “LAUDES MARIAE” melody for two different texts, and neither is the Hymn of Saint Casimir:

*  PDF Download • “Daily, Daily, Sing to Mary” (TUNE)

Conclusion • It’s important to cultivate a love for Mary, the mother of Jesus. The Jesuit Martyrs of North America—Brébeuf, Lalemant, Jogues, Goupil, Lalande, Daniel, Garnier, and Chabanel—each had a strong, ardent, powerful devotion to the Blessed Mother. Their main base of operations was named in her honor: “Sainte-Marie among the Hurons.”

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

Filed Under: Articles, PDF Download Tagged With: Hymn of Saint Casimir, Omni Die Dic Mariae Last Updated: May 19, 2023

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About Jeff Ostrowski

Jeff Ostrowski holds his B.M. in Music Theory from the University of Kansas (2004). He resides with his wife and children in Michigan. —(Read full biography).

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President’s Corner

    PDF Download • “Offertory” for this Sunday
    This coming Sunday, 12 October 2025, is the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). Its OFFERTORY ANTIPHON (PDF) is gorgeous, and comes from the book of Esther, as did the ENTRANCE CHANT last Sunday. Depending on a variety of factors, various hand-missals (all with Imprimatur) translate this passage differently. For instance, “príncipis” can be rendered: King; Prince; Lion; or Fierce lord. None is “more correct” than another. It depends on what each translator wants to emphasize and which source text is chosen. All these pieces of plainsong are conveniently stored at the blue-ribbon feasts website.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Why A “Fugue” Here?
    I believe I know why this plainsong harmonizer created a tiny fugue as the INTRODUCTION to his accompaniment. Take a look (PDF example) and tell me your thoughts about what he did on the feast of the Flight of Our Lord Jesus Christ into Egypt (17 February). And now I must go because “tempus fugit” as they say!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Reminder” — Month of October (2025)
    Those who don’t sign up for our free EMAIL NEWSLETTER miss important notifications. Last week, for example, I sent a message about this job opening for a music director paying $65,000 per year plus benefits (plus weddings & funerals). Notice the job description says: “our vision for sacred music is to move from singing at Mass to truly singing the Mass wherein … especially the propers, ordinaries, and dialogues are given their proper place.” Signing up couldn’t be easier: simply scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.
    —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

“I am of the opinion, to be sure, that the old rite should be granted much more generously to all those who desire it. It’s impossible to see what could be dangerous or unacceptable about that. A community is calling its very being into question when it suddenly declares that what until now was its holiest and highest possession is strictly forbidden and when it makes the longing for it seem downright indecent.”

— Cardinal Ratzinger, 1997

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