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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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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Cheap! Cheap! Cheap!
    It’s always amusing to see old diocesan newspapers—in huge capital letters—advertising the Cheapest Catholic Paper in the United States. The correspondent who sent this to me added: “I can think of certain composers, published by large companies in our own day, who could truthfully brag about the most tawdry compositions in the world!” I wonder what she could have meant by such a cryptic comment…
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • Dom Murray Harmonies
    Along with so many others, I have deep respect for Dom Gregory Gregory Murray, who produced this clever harmonization (PDF) of “O SANCTISSIMA.” It’s always amazed me that Dom Gregory—a truly inspired composer—was so confused when it came to GREGORIAN CHANT. Throughout his life, he published contradictory statements, veering back-and-forth like a weather vane. Toward the end of his life, he declared: “I see clearly that the need for reform in liturgical music arose, not in the 18th and 19th centuries, but a thousand years earlier—in the 8th and 9th centuries, or even before that. The abuses began, not with Mozart and Haydn, but with those over-enthusiastic medieval musicians who developed the elaborate and flamboyant Gregorian Chant.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Music List” • 14 September (Holy Cross)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I prepared for 14 September 2025, which is the Feast of Exaltation of the Holy Cross. 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 spectacular feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —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

It is unworthy that the stone holds Him, Who encloses everything in His hand, Locked in by the forbidding rock. (“Indígnum est cujus claudúntur cuncta pugíllo | Ut tegat inclúsum rupe vetánte lapis.”)

— SALVE FESTA DIES (Eastertide)

Recent Posts

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  • PDF Download • Dom Murray Harmonies
  • “Music List” • 14 September (Holy Cross)
  • Do You Recognize This Hymn? Do You Like It?

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