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Corpus Christi Watershed

We’re a 501(c)3 public charity established in 2006. We have no endowment, no major donors, no savings, and run no advertisements. We exist solely by the generosity of small donors.

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Views from the Choir Loft

“Not Schmaltzy” • An Ancient Christmas Hymn

Jeff Ostrowski · December 22, 2023

ATHER VALENTINE used to say: De gustibus non est disputandum. “In matters of taste, let there be no dispute.” For example, he didn’t like the Lemmensinstituut accompaniments—which should come as no surprise since he studied under the John de Deo Oldegeering, OFM, a legendary plainsong instructor who followed the Mocquereau-Bragers school. I try not emphasize my opinions unduly on this blog. That’s a quick way to make lifelong enemies. For example, I consider the hymn tune “SANDON” to be just dreadful—but should I dwell on that? Surely it’s better to emphasize the positive.

Christmas Carols • Speaking of opinions, there are certain Christmas carols I find so “sentimental” or “schmaltzy” or “gooey” or “saccharine” that—in my personal opinion—they don’t belong at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. One that comes to mind immediately: O Little town of Bethlehem. I realize others will disagree. Contrariwise, an ancient Christmas hymn that’s robust is Christe Redemptor Omnium (whose title was changed in 1631AD to Jesu Redemptor Omnium). Do you agree the English translation by Robert Campbell of Skerrington is fabulous?

Just look how faithful Campbell was to the original:

*  PDF Download • COMPARISON CHART
—Literal translation Vs. a poetic translation by Robert Campbell of Skerrington.

To access this hymn’s media in the Brébeuf Portal, click here.

English Primers • The Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal printed ancient translations from ENGLISH PRIMERS. I’m talking about Roman Catholic translations into English from the 1500s—which were intended for singing—of ancient Latin hymns. (The Brébeuf editors found explicit proof that these translations were intended to be sung, not just read.) We don’t have permission to reprint them on this blog, but let me just assure you they’re endlessly fascinating:

Robert Campbell + Saint Augustine:

Not every translation by Robert Campbell 1 is literal. Consider Campbell’s famous version of Ad Cenam Agni Providi (“At the Lamb’s high feast we sing”). It’s not really a translation. Rather, Campbell uses the original text as a springboard for his own thoughts. Consider “after the crossing of the red sea.” Campbell relates this “red sea” to the blood and water that flowed from Christ’s side on the cross, so crossing the red sea now means being washed by the blood and water from the Heart of Jesus. Indeed, Saint Augustine (Enn. in Ps. CXXXVIII) says: Ex latere Domini dormientis, id est, in passione morientis, et in cruce percusso de lancea, manaverunt sacramenta, quibus formaretur Ecclesia. (“From the side of the Lord sleeping, that is, dying in his passion, and pierced by a spear on the cross, flowed the sacraments whereby the Church would be formed.”) For the record, Corpus Christi Watershed is named in honor of “water shed” from the Heart of Christ.

To access this hymn’s media in the Brébeuf Portal, click here.

1 According to a footnote in the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal, Robert Campbell of Skerrington converted to the True Faith in 1852.

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

Filed Under: Articles, PDF Download Tagged With: Christe Redemptor Omnium Xmas, Jesu Redemptor Omnium, Robert Campbell of Skerrington Last Updated: December 23, 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

    Luis Martínez Must Go!
    Sevilla Cathedral (entry dated 13 December 1564): The chapter orders Luis Martínez, a cathedral chaplain, to stay away from the choirbook-stand when the rest of the singers gather around it to sing polyphony—the reason being that “he throws the others out of tune.” [Excerpt from “The Life of Father Francisco Guerrero.”]
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Urgent! • We Desperately Need Funds!
    A few days ago, the president of Corpus Christi Watershed posted this urgent appeal for funds. Please help us make sure we’re never forced to place our content behind a paywall. We feel it’s crucial that 100% of our content remains free to everyone. We’re a tiny 501(c)3 public charity, entirely dependent upon the generosity of small donors. We have no endowment and no major donors. We run no advertisements and have no savings. We beg you to consider donating $4.00 per month. Thank you!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Booklet of Eucharistic Hymns” (16 pages)
    I was asked to create a booklet for my parish to use during our CORPUS CHRISTI PROCESSION on 22 June 2025. Would you be willing to look over the DRAFT BOOKLET (16 pages) I came up with? I tried to include a variety of hymns: some have a refrain; some are in major, others in minor; some are metered, others are plainsong; some are in Spanish, some are in Latin, but most are in English. Normally, we’d use the Brébeuf Hymnal—but we can’t risk having our congregation carry those heavy books all over the city to various churches.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Pope Pius XII Hymnal?
    Have you ever heard of the Pope Pius XII Hymnal? It’s a real book, published in the United States in 1959. Here’s a sample page so you can verify with your own eyes it existed.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Hybrid” Chant Notation?
    Over the years, many have tried to ‘simplify’ plainsong notation. The O’Fallon Propers attempted to simplify the notation—but ended up making matters worse. Dr. Karl Weinmann tried to do the same in the time of Pope Saint Pius X by replacing each porrectus. You can examine a specimen from his edition and see whether you agree he complicated matters. In particular, look at what he did with éxsules fílii Hévae.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Antiphons Don’t Match?
    A reader wants to know why the Entrance and Communion antiphons in certain publications deviate from what’s prescribed by the GRADUALE ROMANUM published after Vatican II. Click here to read our answer. The short answer is: the Adalbert Propers were never intended to be sung. They were intended for private Masses only (or Masses without music). The “Graduale Parvum,” published by the John Henry Newman Institute of Liturgical Music in 2023, mostly uses the Adalbert Propers—but sometimes uses the GRADUALE text: e.g. Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul (29 June).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

“Of course, the Latin language presents some difficulties, and perhaps not inconsiderable ones, for the new recruits to your holy ranks. But such difficulties, as you know, should not be reckoned insuperable. This is especially true for you, who can more easily give yourselves to study, being more set apart from the business and bother of the world.”

— Pope Saint Paul VI (15 August 1966)

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Corpus Christi Watershed is a 501(c)3 public charity dedicated to exploring and embodying as our calling the relationship of religion, culture, and the arts. This non-profit organization employs the creative media in service of theology, the Church, and Christian culture for the enrichment and enjoyment of the public.

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