johnquinn39 wrote:Yes. The hymn is 'Immaculate, Immaculate' (the first line being 'O Mother!, I could weep for mirth'). This is published in 'The Catholic Hymn Book' - Gracewing ISBN 0852443593 and is no.158.
I don't have the Catholic Hymn Book - does it name the tunes? What does it give for 158?
johnquinn39 wrote:Yes. The hymn is 'Immaculate, Immaculate' (the first line being 'O Mother!, I could weep for mirth'). This is published in 'The Catholic Hymn Book' - Gracewing ISBN 0852443593 and is no.158.
I don't have the Catholic Hymn Book - does it name the tunes? What does it give for 158?
- Yes, this book names the tunes. The tune given is indeed 'Immaculate, Immaculate' 86 86 + refrain by William Pitts 1829-1903 (as in 'Oratory Hymn Tunes' c.1870)
johnquinn39 wrote: Yes, this book names the tunes. The tune given is indeed 'Immaculate, Immaculate' 86 86 + refrain by William Pitts 1829-1903 (as in 'Oratory Hymn Tunes' c.1870)
In that case I'm not sure we've got the right candidate (culprit?) - I do remember that there was a hymn in my schooldays called "The Immaculata" but I vaguely recall that name being at the place where the tune's name would be. Has Amaris tried this out on the "Old Girls" to see if they recognise it?
johnquinn39 wrote:Are there better hymns to the Blessed Virgin Mary that could be sung? - Maybe Owen Alstott's 'Holy dwelling place of God', or one of the Marian antiphons in 'By flowing waters'.
Our Lady is 'the highest honour of our race', 'Mother of the Word of God', 'Noble tower of David' etc.
Abso. We sing those too, not to mention a few settings of the Mag.
I have indeed tried it out and this was what they were looking for. A refrain of Sancta Maria, ora pro nobis and eight single line verses which were intoned. Only ever remembered in Latin. Apparently they would process around the school singing this whilst each carrying a white lily. It has obviously left an indelible mark on them.
I have never found a tune or composer attributed.
Think of me in December having to persuade the current girls of the value of learning this....
