Description:

This treasure edited by Fr. Matthew Britt, first published in 1922, is a magnificent and inspired work of scholarship in the history of Christian music. It assembles the texts to the hymns of the Breviary and Roman Missal, with translations and commentary on who wrote the hymns and how they are used liturgically. The scope here is breathtaking, and many of the translations include both poetic renderings and literal renderings. Here is the foundation for Christian hymnody of the past and, possibly, the future. Many are familiar but many more are not. The music itself is not included but the songs are otherwise available in books published by Solesmes. The huge value added here is the historical scholarship, compilation, and translations.