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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

Thoughts on the “English” Method of Hymn-Printing

Jeff Ostrowski · January 30, 2025

ITHOUT QUESTION, converts add much to the Catholic Faith. They often possess a ‘zeal’ which is inspiring. On the other hand, some converts bring with them erroneous liturgical ideas. For example, those who were raised Protestant often say: “One must never omit verses of a hymn, because hymns tell a story.” This demonstrates a profound ignorance of hymnody history. Leaving aside obvious examples—such as “Tantum Ergo” and “O Salutaris Hostia” (which are both fragments)—the fact is, many of the finest hymns are excerpts from much longer hymns. As Dr. Adrian Fortescue wrote in 1913: “Many breviary hymns are really only fragments of very long compositions.”

Singing Method • Another Protestant error has to do with the way hymns are printed on the page. Remember that hardly any Protestant services include the Proprium Missae (although some ‘high’ Anglicans do). As a result, many Protestants grow up repeating the same hymns over and over, year after year. Because they sing the same hymns over and over again, they can get away with the so-called “English method” of printing hymns, where text and music are separated:

*  PDF Download • The so-called “ENGLISH METHOD”

Observing such a layout, you might well ask: “How can anyone sight-read the TENOR, ALTO, or BASS part when the music is found on a different page?” The answer: It’s impossible, unless you grew up singing that hymn over and over.1 Anyone who’s worked in a real parish, however, realizes Catholic don’t have every hymn memorized—nor should they.

The Solution • Because the Brébeuf Hymnal was created by Catholic musicians and priests with years of experience working in real parishes, its editors took the position—which is correct—that not every Catholic has every hymn memorized. Notice how every single verse is conveniently written-out in the Brébeuf Hymnal accompaniment volumes and CHORAL SUPPLEMENT:

Dr. Mahrt • The late Dr. William Mahrt famously noted that Catholics in the United States only know three hymns: Holy God, We Praise Thy Name (“Te Deum”); Immaculate Mary (Lourdes Hymn); and Hail, Holy Queen Enthroned Above (“Salve Regina”). But a healthy parish music program is one in which “new” excellent hymns are introduced from time to time. The wise organist will play the melody as a ‘prelude’ for several weeks before it’s introduced. In one of his public lectures, Dr. Mahrt complained about the OPENING HYMNS sung at major Anglican cathedrals, because they often paired a text from one book with a melody from another. Dr. Mahrt complained: “I’m usually so busy trying to (somehow) hold both books that I miss the entire procession…” Some people might say: “Well, if Dr. Mahrt were a better musician he’d have no difficulty with the English method of hymn notation.” But such an assertion is false—as I’ve explained above.

The Lazy Way • Publishers can save literally thousands of man-hours by “stacking” lyrics. Before computers, that was the only method possible. That’s why 99% of old hymnals only include 2-3 verses for each hymn. But unless one already has all the lyrics (for every verse) memorized, it’s quite inconvenient to read from a “stacked” score. For the organist who simultaneously serves as CANTOR, it’s virtually impossible (unless one already has all the lyrics memorized). That’s one reason hymns are often performed so poorly. Here is how “stacked” lyrics look:

Any Advantages? • As far as I can tell, there’s only one advantage of the so-called “English” method of printing hymns: viz. it makes appreciating the poetry easier. However—as I have explained—it makes singing ALTO, TENOR, or BASS impossible (unless it’s a hymn one has sung over and over for years). Fifty-six years before the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal was created, the Abbey of Solesmes realized the indisputable advantages of writing out each verse … and did precisely that in their famous LIBER USUALIS, even though all those hymns are unison only.

Final Thoughts • Having returned to JESUS CHRIST, Saint Augustine wrote: “Late have I loved Thee, O beauty so ancient and yet so new!” I’ve encountered women who have taught kindergarten for more than four decades, and they have a special vocation. They joyfully repeat the same things each year to an incoming class. I need to work on becoming more patient—because I sometimes grow tired of repeating the same thing over and over again.

Therefore, let me be absolutely clear: For those who work in real parishes, the Brébeuf method (writing out each verse) is immensely superior to any other method I’ve seen. This is especially true vis-à-vis the so-called “English” method of printing, which only works if the person has sung a particular hymn over and over. Many Protestant denominations don’t use the Proprium Missae from the GRADUALE ROMANUM. As a result, many repeat the same hymns over and over again for years. But I’ve argued that a healthy music program will introduce excellent hymns that are unfamiliar from time to time. Each year, our website garners millions of unique hits, and each year I toss out the same challenge: viz. I will call the participant on Zoom and give him a hymn with lyrics he’s not seen before. Then, as he attempts to play the keyboard while simultaneously singing each very, it will become obvious which method produces better results: the “stacked” method vs. the Brébeuf method (writing out each verse). As of 3 February 2025, no one has accepted my challenge—but I haven’t given up hope!

Let me know if you think I’m off the mark! … although musicians never disagree about anything, right? 😉

1 If anyone wants to prove me wrong, please let me know! I will call you on Zoom and provide a hymn you’ve never seen before. If you can successfully sight-read the alto, tenor, or bass part I’ll gladly give you a million dollars!

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

Filed Under: Articles, PDF Download Tagged With: Keyboard Accompaniment Brebeuf Hymnal, O Salutaris Hostia, Tantum Ergo Sacramentum, The English Method of Hymn-Printing Last Updated: March 6, 2025

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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

    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) 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
    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
    “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

    “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
    Did they simplify these hymn harmonies?
    Choirs love to sing the famous & splendid tune called “INNSBRUCK.” Looking through a (Roman Catholic) German hymnal printed in 1952, I discovered what appears to be a simplified version of that hymn. In other words, their harmonization is much less complex than the version found in the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal (which is suitable for singing by SATB choir). Please download their 1952 harmonization (PDF) and let me know your thoughts. I really like the groovy Germanic INTRODUCTION they added.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“The Catholic Church has a dignity far surpassing that of every merely human society, for it was founded by Christ the Lord. It is altogether fitting, therefore, that the language it uses should be noble, majestic, and non-vernacular.”

— Blessed John XXIII (22 February 1962)

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