Comparison of Catholic Hymnals (USA) by college student

[AntoineDaniel]

Daniel Craig has written a Comparison of Catholic Hymnals:

http://www.ccwatershed.org/blog/2012/mar/1/roman-missal-third-edition-3rd-mass-accompaniment/

I am curious to know if the UK has a site that does something similar?

[Southern Comfort]

Interestingly, Craig does not mention several US hymnals in common usage: Gather (of which there is already a new edition), Journeysongs, and Ritualsong. The review appears to be slanted towards the more traditional end of the spectrum.

I know of no website in the UK that does anything similar, but a very brief commentary will be found at http://www.portsmouthdiocese.org.uk/pastoralformation/liturgy/copyright/hymnbooks.php

This page will presumably be revised when updated versions of the books described become available.

[nazard]

There is another catholic hymnal in use in Britain, but not widely, The Catholic Hymnbook, but it has very limited content. A few parishes use the New English Hymnal, which is intended for Anglican use.

[musicus]

I agree that The Catholic Hymnal is limited (in the sense that it includes only 'traditional' Catholic hymns and chants, and no contemporary material whatsoever), but what it does, it does extremely well, Original texts and music are faithfully reproduced, and beautifully laid out. I wouldn't want to use only this book, but, equally, I wouldn't want to be without it.

[Southern Comfort]

Production of The Catholic Hymn Book was largely underwritten by money from the estate of the late Ralph Downes, for many years organist at the Brompton Oratory. Given that Downes frequently did not play hymns in the printed key, for example preferring G flat to G to aid the congregation, it is somewhat ironic that the CHB does not itself print hymns in Downes's lower keys...