Chant School

Link to MusicThe Royal Banner forward goes,The mystic Cross refulgent glows:Where He, in Flesh, flesh who made,Upon the Tree of pain is laid.Behold! The nails with anguish fierce,His outstretched arms and vitals pierce:Here our redemption to obtain,The Mighty Sacrifice is slain.Here the fell spear his wounded sideWith ruthless onset opened wide:To wash us in that cleansing flood,Thence mingled Water flowed, and Blood.Fulfilled is all that David toldIn true prophetic song, of old:Unto the nations, lo! saith he,Our God hath reignèd from the Tree.O Tree! In radiant beauty bright!With regal purple meetly dight!Thou chosen stem! divinely graced,Which hath those Holy Limbs embraced!How blest thine arms, beyond compare,Which Earth's Eternal Ransom bare!That Balance where His Body laid,The spoil of vanquished Hell outweighed.Hail wondrous Altar! Victim hail!Thy Glorious Passion shall avail!Where death Life's very Self endured,Yet life by that same Death secured.O Cross! all hail! sole hope, abideWith us now in this Passion-tide:New grace in pious hearts implant,And pardon to the guilty grant!Thee, mighty Trinity! One God!Let every living creature laud;Whom by the Cross Thou dost deliver,O guide and govern now and ever! Amen.

Link to Music1. O Gregory, that once wast the apostle of the Angli, and now art a companion of the angels! protect now, as of old, the nations that believe in Christ.2. Thou spurnest wealth and riches and all the glory of the world, that so thou, being poor, mayst follow the Lord Jesus, who was poor.3. An angel presents himself to thee, in the garb of one that was shipwrecked, and asks an alms; thou first makest him a double gift, and then thou givest him a silver vase.4. After this, Christ puts thee over his Church, for thou didst imitate the virtues, and now thou hast the honours, of Peter.5. O excellent Pontiff! Light and ornament of the Church! Thou hast so richly instructed us, assist us in our dangers.6. From thy lips there flows honey that brings sweetness to the heart. Thy. words are more fragrant than the richest perfume.7. Admirably dost thou solve the obscure figures of sacred Writ. The divine mysteries are taught thee by him that is the very Truth.8. O thou that hast the office and the glory of the apostles, pray for us, that we may be loosed from the bonds of sin, and obtain the thrones prepared for us above.9. To the unbegotten Father, and to his only-begotten Son, and to the Spirit of them both be praise and highest kingship. Amen.

Link to Music1. Martyr of God, whose strength was steeledTo follow close God's only Son,Well didst thou brave thy battlefield,And well thy heavenly bliss was won!2. Now join thy prayers with ours, who prayThat God may pardon us and bless;For prayer keeps evil's plague away,And draws from life its weariness.3. Long, long ago, were loosed the chainsThat held thy body once in thrall;For us how many a bond remains!O love of God release us all.4. All praise to God the Father be,All praise to Thee, Eternal Son;All praise, O Holy Ghost, to Thee,While never-ending ages run.

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Link to the MusicMARY, Mother of Grace, Mother of mercy, Shield me from the enemy And receive me at the hour of my death.

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Link to MusicBenedict, precious jewel of the King of Heaven,Model for the just and way for monks,Call us forthFrom this troubled world.Spurning what was base, you set your heart on the stars.You made heirs of your parents,For you, God's perfect vessel,Were fit to repair a shattered one.Great among a small company of hermitsYou overcame your youthfulness and excelled in your laborAs you fervently undertookThe narrow beginnings of the strict life.When a youth was buried in the rubble of a collapsing wall,He was raised up as soon as you prayed;With your prayer you restoredSense to his flesh and health to his body.You saw your sister's soul, unknown to sin,Attain the very heightsOf starry heavenIn the form of a gentle dove.After this marvel you in turnSought starry heights, having mastered this life;Your cloak shone forthA flaming path charged with light.Glory to the Father, to the Only Begotten,And to you, loving Spirit,Always their equal,One God for all ages. Amen.

Link to MusicO Three in One, and One in Three, Who rulest all things mightily: Bow down to hear the songs of praise Which, freed from bonds of sleep, we raise.While lingers yet the peace of night, We rouse us from our slumbers light: That might of instant prayer may win The healing balm for wounds of sin.If, by the wiles of Satan caught, This night-time we have sinned in aught, That sin Thy glorious power to-day, From heaven descending, cleanse away.Let naught impure our bodies stain, No laggard sloth our souls detain, No taint of sin our spirits know, To chill the fervor of their glow.Wherefore, Redeemer, grant that we Fulfilled with Thine own light may be: That, in our course, from day to day, By no misdeed we fall away.Grant this, O Father ever One With Christ, Thy sole-begotten Son, And Holy Ghost, whom all adore, Reigning and blest forevermore.

Link to Music1. O light of dawn, O rosy glow, O Light from Light, all ages show Your beauty, and the martyrs fame, That gain us pardon from our blame.2. The heavens' porter, and earth’s sage,The world’s bright lights who judge the age. One wins by cross, and one by sword, And life on high is their reward.3. These are your princes, happy Rome! Their precious blood clothes you, their home. We praise not you, but praise their worth, Beyond all beauty of the earth.4. Kind Shepherd, Peter, unto thee was given The keys to close and ope the gates of heaven; Strike from our souls the galling chain of crime, And gain the grace for which our hearts have striven.5. O learned Paul, inspire us from above With all the graces of the Heavenly Dove; Bring us the faith to see the truth of God, And brighten earth with the sweet reign of love.6. One love, one faith, twin olive trees, One great strong hope filled both of these. Full fonts, in your matched charity,Pray that we may in heaven be.7. Give glory to the Trinity And honor to the Unity, And joy and pow’r, for their reign stays Today and through all endless days.

Link to Music‘Let us sing with joyful heartsAnd bearing the praise which we oweOf eternal gifts of ChristAnd the victories of the martyrsPrinces of the churches, [5]triumphal leaders of the war,soldiers of the heavenly court,and true lights of the world,After the terrors of the world are conquered,And the punishment of the body scorned, [10]They take hold of the blessed lightThrough a direct path: holy death.Martyrs are handed over to the flames,and to the teeth of beasts;the frenzied executioner’s hand [15]armed with claws rages at them.Their exposed entrails hang,their holy blood pours out,but they remain unmovingby the grace of eternal life. [20]The devoted faith of the saints,the unconquered hope of believers,the perfect charity of Christconquers the prince of the world.In them is the Father’s glory, [25]in them is the desire of the Spirit,in them the Son exults,heaven is filled with joy.Now we beg you, Redeemer,that you join your praying servants [30]in a fellowship of martyrdom,Forever and ever.’

Link to Music - Quem TerraLink to Music - O Gloriosa DominaThe God whom earth, and sea, and skyadore, and laud, and magnify,who o'er their threefold fabric reigns,the Virgin's spotless womb contains.The God whose will by moon, and sun,and all things in due course is done,is borne upon a Maiden's breast,by fullest heavenly grace possessed.How blest that Mother, in whose shrinethe great Artificer Divine,whose hand contains the earth and sky,vouchsafed, as in His ark, to lie.Blest, in the message Gabriel brought;blest, by the work the Spirit wrought;from whom the great Desire of earthtook human flesh and human birth.All honour, laud, and glory be,O Jesu, Virgin-born, to Thee,whom with the Father we adore,and Holy Ghost for evermore.Amen.O Heaven's glorious mistress,elevated above the stars,thou feedest with thy sacred breasthim who created thee.What miserable Eve lostthy dear offspring to man restores,the way to glory is open to the wretchedfor thou has become the Gate of Heaven.Thou art the door of the High King,the gate of shining light.Life is given through a Virgin:Rejoice, ye redeemed nations.Glory be to Thee, O Lord,Born of a Virgin,with the Father and the Holy Spirit,world without end. Amen.

Link to MusicLo, how the savage crew Of our proud sins hath rent The Heart of our all-gracious God, That Heart so innocent.The soldiers quivering lance Our guilt it was that drave, Our wicked deeds that to its point Such cruel sharpness gave.O wounded Heart, whence sprang The Church, the Saviours bride; Thou Door of our Salvations Ark Set in its mystic side.Thou holy fount, whence flows The sacred sevenfold flood. Where we our filthy roles may cleanse In the Lambs saving Blood:By sorrowful relapse, Thee will we rend no more; But like the flames, those types of love, Strive heavenward to soar.Father and Son supreme And Spirit, hear our cry; Whose is the kingdom, praise and power, Through all eternity.

Link to MusicSanctify me wholly, Soul of Christ adored; Be my sure Salvation, Body of the Lord: Fill and satisfy me, O Thou Blood unpriced: Wash me, Sacred Water, from the side of Christ. Passion of my Saviour, be my strength in need: Good and gracious Jesus, to my prayer give heed: In Thy Wounds most precious let me refuge find: All the power malignant of the foeman bind: At deaths final hour, call me to Thy face: Bid me stand beside Thee in the heavenly place: There with Saints and Angels I shall sing to Thee Through the countless ages of eternity.

Link to MusicRound roll the weeks our hearts to greet, With blissful joy returning; For lo! The Holy Paraclete On twelve bright brows sits burning:With quivering flame He lights on each, In fashion like a tongue, to teach That eloquent they are of speech, Their hearts with true love yearning.While with all tongues they speak to all, The nations deem them maddened, And drunk with wine the Prophets call, Whom God’s good Spirit gladdened;A marvel this—in mystery done— The holy Paschaltide outrun, By numbers told, whose reckoning won Remission for the saddened.O God most Holy, Thee we pray, With reverent brow low bending, Grant us the Spirit’s gifts to-day— The gifts from heaven descending;And, since, Thy grace hath deigned to bide Within our breasts once sanctified, Deign, Lord, to cast our sins aside, Henceforth calm seasons sending.To God the Father, laud and praise, Praise to the Son be given; Praise to the Spirit of all grace, The fount of graces seven—As was of old, all worlds before, Is now and shall be evermore, When time and change are spent and o’er— All praise in earth and heaven.

Link to Music1. Now Christ, ascending whence He came,Had mounted o'er the starry frame,The Holy Ghost on man below,The Father's promise, to bestow.2. The solemn time was drawing nigh,Replete with heav'nly mystery,On seven days' sevenfold circles borne,That first and blessed Whitsunmorn.3. When the third hour shone all around,There came a rushing mighty sound,And told the Apostles, while in prayer,That, as was promised, God was there.4. Forth from the Father's light it came,That beautiful and kindly flame:To fill with fervor of His wordThe spirits faithful to their Lord.5. With joy the Apostles' breasts are fired,By God the Holy Ghost inspired:And straight, in divers kinds of speech,The wondrous works of God they preach.6. To men of every race they speak,Alike Barbarian, Roman, Greek:From the same lips, with awe and fear,All men their native accents hear.7. But Juda's sons, e'en faithless yet,With mad infuriate rage beset,To mock Christ's followers com-As drunken all with new-made wine.8. When lo! with signs and mighty deeds,Stands Peter in the midst, and pleads;Confounding their malignant lieBy Joel's ancient prophecy.9. To God the Father let us sing,To God the Son, our risen King,And equally let us adoreThe Spirit, God for evermore.

Link to MusicHail, Thou who man’s Redeemer art, Jesu, the joy of every heart; Great Maker of the world’s wide frame, And purest love’s delight and flame:What nameless mercy Thee o’ercame, To bear out load of sin and shame? For guiltless, Thou Thy life didst give, That sinful erring man might live.The realms of woe are forced by Thee, Its captives from their chains set free; And Thou, amid Thy ransomed train, At God’s right hand dost victor reign.Let mercy sweet with Thee prevail, To cure the wounds we now bewail; Oh, bless us with Thy holy sight, And fill us with eternal light.Our guide, our way to heavenly rest, Be Thou the aim of every breast; Be Thou the soother of our tears, Our sweet reward above the spheres.

Link to MusicIN THIS our bright and Paschal daythe sun shines out with purer ray,when Christ, to earthly sight made plain,the glad Apostles see again.The wounds, the riven wounds he showsin that his flesh with light that glows,in loud accord both far and nighthe Lord's arising testify.O Christ, the King who lovest to bless,do thou our hearts and souls possess;to thee our praise that we may pay,to whom our laud is due for aye.

Link to MusicLight's glittering morn bedecks the sky,heaven thunders forth its victor cry,the glad earth shouts its triumph high,and groaning hell makes wild reply:2 While he, the King of glorious might,treads down death's strength in death's despite,and trampling hell by victor's right,brings forth his sleeping Saints to light.3 Fast barred beneath the stone of latein watch and ward where soldiers wait,now shining in triumphant state,He rises Victor from death's gate.4 Hell's pains are loosed, and tears are fled;captivity is captive led;the Angel, crowned with light, hath said,'The Lord is risen from the dead.'5 O Christ, the King who lovest to bless,do thou our hearts and souls possess;to thee our praise that we may pay,to whom our laud is due for aye.]

Link to Music1. The Lamb's high banquet we awaitin snow-white robes of royal state:and now, the Red Sea's channel past,to Christ our Prince we sing at last.2. Upon the Altar of the CrossHis Body hath redeemed our loss:and tasting of his roseate Blood,our life is hid with Him in God.3. That Paschal Eve God's arm was bared,the devastating Angel spared:by strength of hand our hosts went freefrom Pharaoh's ruthless tyranny.4. Now Christ, our Paschal Lamb, is slain,the Lamb of God that knows no stain,the true Oblation offered here,our own unleavened Bread sincere.5. O Thou, from whom hell's monarch flies,O great, O very Sacrifice,Thy captive people are set free,and endless life restored in Thee.6. For Christ, arising from the dead,from conquered hell victorious sped,and thrust the tyrant down to chains,and Paradise for man regains.7. We pray Thee, King with glory decked,in this our Paschal joy, protectfrom all that death would fain effectThy ransomed flock, Thine own elect.8. To Thee who, dead, again dost live,all glory Lord, Thy people give;all glory, as is ever meet,to Father and to Paraclete. Amen.

Link to MusicI saw water flowing out of the Temple, from its right side, Alleluia:And all to whom this water came were saved, And they shall say: Alleluia, Alleluia.

Link to MusicO QUEEN of heaven rejoice! alleluia:For He whom thou didst merit to bear, alleluia,Hath arisen as he said, alleluia.Pray for us to God, alleluia.

Link to MusicSing, my tongue, the glorious battle,[1]  With completed victory rife: And above the Cross's trophy  Tell the triumph of the strife: How the world's Redeemer conquer'd  By surrendering of His Life.God his Maker, sorely grieving  That the first-made Adam fell, When he ate the fruit of sorrow,  Whose reward was death and hell, Noted then this Wood, the ruin  Of the ancient wood to quell.For the work of our Salvation  Needs would have his order so, And the multiform deceiver's  Art by art would overthrow, And from thence would bring the med'cine  Whence the insult of the foe.Wherefore, when the sacred fulness  Of th' appointed time was come, This world's Maker left His Father,  Sent the Heavenly Mansion from, And proceeded, God Incarnate,  Of the Virgin's Holy Womb.Weeps the Infant in the manger  That in Bethlehem's stable stands; And His Limbs the Virgin Mother  Doth compose in swaddling bands, Meetly thus in linen folding  Of her God the feet and hands.Thirty years among us dwelling,  His appointed time fulfill'd, Born for this, He meets his Passion,  For that this He freely will'd: On the Cross the Lamb is lifted,  Where His life-blood shall be spilled.He endured the nails, the spitting,  Vinegar, and spear, and reed; From that Holy Body broken  Blood and water forth proceed: Earth, and stars, and sky, and ocean,  By that flood from stain are freed.Faithful Cross! above all other,  One and only noble tree! None in foliage, none in blossom,  None in fruit thy peers may be: Sweetest Wood, and sweetest Iron!  Sweetest Weight is hung on thee.Bend thy boughs, O Tree of Glory!  Thy relaxing sinews bend; For awhile the ancient rigour,  That thy birth bestowed, suspend; And the King of Heavenly Beauty  On thy bosom gently tend!Thou alone wast counted worthy  This world's ransom to uphold; For a shipwrecked race preparing  Harbour, like the Ark of old; With the sacred Blood anointed  From the smitten Lamb that roll'd.[2]To the Trinity be glory  Everlasting, as is meet: Equal to the Father, equal  To the Son, and Paraclete: Trinal Unity, Whose praises  All created things repeat. Amen.

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Link to MusicToday we learn a short doxology -- sung in Monasteries and the Eastern Rites of the Church -- dating back to the 4th century!Thou art worthy of praise, thou art worthy of hymns, to Thee be glory: to God the Father and the Son with the Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen.

Link to MusicToday we learn a wonderful hymn to our glorious mother! August 15 - 22nd is a little octave of Our Lady, and this hymn should be a part of everyone's celebration of her Assumption and Crowning.

Link to MusicLearn to sing the Solemn Tone of the Salve Regina. This beautiful Marian Antiphon is traditionally sung after the Rosary and after Night Prayer during Ordinary time. Mary has also revealed in visions that this is one of her favorites!

Link to musicLearn the Missa de Angelis Part 4 -- Agnus Dei

Link to music Learn Mass VIII (Missa de Angelis) Part 3 -- Sanctus

Link to MusicLearn the Missa de Angelis, Part 2 -- Gloria

Link to MusicLearn the Missa de Angelis: Part 1 -- Kyrie

Link to MusicLearn the hymn written by St. Simon Stock, the prior of the Carmelite order to whom Mary appeared and gave the brown scapular as a privilege to the Carmelite order. This was originally used as the sequence for the feast of St. Simon, then for the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (July 16th). Now it's just a devotional hymn, but since the Church has given us all the privilege of participating in the brown scapular, let's all sing it in thank to Our Lady and Holy Mother Church!

Link to Music"Give peace in our time, O Lord, because there is none other that fighteth for us, but only Thou, O God."

Link to MusicAnother Hymn to St. John the Baptist (Feast: June 24th). This and it's more famous counterpart Ut Queant Laxis were originally part of the same hymn, split into three for the Divine Office. Both can be sung to the same melody (which you can learn in Episode 50) but today we'll learn a new melody. O more than blessed, merit high attaining, Pure as the snow-drift, innocent of evil, Child of the desert, mightiest of Martyrs, Greatest of Prophets.Thirtyfold increase some with glory crowneth; Sixtyfold fruitage prize for others winneth; Hundredfold measure, thrice repeated, decks thee, Blest one, for guerdon.O may the virtue of thine intercession, All stony hardness from our hearts expelling, Smooth the rough places, and the crooked straighten Here in the desert.Thus may our gracious Maker and Redeemer, Seeking a station for His hallowed footsteps, Find, when He cometh, temples undefiled, Meet to receive Him.Now as the Angels celebrate Thy praises, Godhead essential, Trinity co-equal; Spare Thy redeemed ones, as they bow before Thee, Pardon imploring.

Link to MusicToday we learn a chant setting of the well-known prayer to St. Michael the Archangel. Enjoy!

Link to MusicToday we learn the propers for Septuagesima Sunday. Enjoy!

Links to music: Introit; Gradual(A); Gradual (B and C) Alleluia; Offertory; Communion (A and C); Communion (B)Today we learn the propers for the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Extraordinary Form propers repeat again this week, see episode 80.

Link to MusicToday we learn the most commonly sung melody for the Nicene Creed. Enjoy!

Music: Introit; Gradual; Alleluia; Offertory; Communion (Year A); Communion (Year B and C)Today we learn the propers for the 4th Sunday in Ordinary time (Extraordinary Form repeats 3rd Sunday after Epiphany this week!).

Link to MusicToday we learn another hymn of Prudentius -- listen to Audit Tyrannus Anxius from a few weeks ago to learn about his story -- O Sola Magnarum Urbium. This Epiphany hymn is also drawn from his Cathemerinon, and sings the praises of Bethlehem, noblest of cities, where the Lord was born and the Kings came to worship.1. Bethlehem! of noblest cities None can once with thee compare; Thou alone the Lord from heaven Didst for us Incarnate bear.2. Fairer than the sun at morning Was the star that told His birth; To the lands their God announcing, Hid beneath a form of earth.3. By its lambent beauty guided, See the eastern kings appear; See them bend, their gifts to offer-Gifts of incense, gold, and myrrh.4. Solemn things of mystic meaning!-Incense doth the God disclose; Gold a royal Child proclaimeth; Myrrh a future tomb foreshows.5. Holy Jesu, in Thy brightnessTo the Gentile world displayed,With the Father and the Spirit,Endless praise to Thee be paid.

Link to MusicLink to Year A and B IntroitLink to Year A Communio "Venite Post Me"Today we learn the Proper antiphons from the 3rd Sunday (in Ordinary Time/After Epiphany). Enjoy!

Link to MusicHappy Epiphanytide! Today we learn the introit from the Mass for Epiphany, and for those who haven't listened to our Propers of the Year series, we get a peak into the chants of the Holy Mass.Behold, the Sovereign Lord is coming; kingship, government and power are in his hands.

Link to musicLink to Novus Ordo Communio, Laetabimur in salutari tuoToday we learn the propers for the 2nd Sunday (of Ordinary Time or Epiphany)

Link to MusicHappy New Year's Eve! Today we learn a hymn in honor of the Holy Innocents, killed by the tyrant Herod while he searched for the Christ Child. The first blood shed for our Lord was by these innocent children, and it's impossible not to compare slaughter of the innocents with the slaughter of the unborn in our day. Sing the praises of these innocents, and beg for their intercession for an end to abortion!

Link to MusicToday we learn the propers for the Feast of Epiphany. Enjoy!

Link to MusicMerry Christmas! Today we learn one of the most popular medieval Christmas hymns: Puer Natus in Bethlehem. Let's all raise our voices to praise God for the Incarnation!A child is born in Bethlehem,Exult for joy, Jerusalem!Allelujah.With an exultant heart,let us adore the new-born Christ,with a new song.The Son of God the Father,In the highest has taken flesh,Allelujah.By angel Gabriel announced,The virgin has conceived the Son.Allelujah.Like a bridegroom from the chamber,He proceeds from the womb of the mother.Allelujah.Lo he who reigns above the skies,There in a manger lowly, lies.Allelujah.The ox and ass in neighb'ring stall,See in that child the Lord of all.Allelujah.And kingly pilgrims, long foretold,From East bring incense, myrrh and gold,Allelujah.And enter with their offerings,To hail the newborn King of Kings.Allelujah.He comes, a maiden mother's Son,Yet earthly father has He none;Allelujah.And from the serpent's poison free,He owned our blood and pedigree,Allelujah.Our feeble flesh and His the same,Our sinless kinsman He became,Allelujah.That we, from deadly thrall set free,Like Him, and so like God, should be.Allelujah.Come then, and on his natal day,Rejoice before the Lord and pray.Allelujah.And to the holy One in Three.Give praise and thanks eternally.Allelujah.

Links to music (courtesy of CCWatershed): Introit; Gradual; Alleluia; Offertory; CommunionIn this episode we learn the propers for the Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God, January 1st. In 2023 this falls on Sunday, the Octave of Christmas. In the extraordinary form this day is the Octave of Christmas/The Circumcision of the Lord, and the propers are the same as those of Christmas Mass during the day, which we covered in last week's episode (except for the Alleluia).

Link to MusicToday we learn the antiphon for Rorate Caeli, a hymn based on the beginning of the Introit for the 4th Sunday of Advent. A wonderful, simple antiphon to have on our lips during this last week before the Lord Comes!Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness.Be not wroth very sore, O Lord, neither remember iniquity for ever: thy holy city is a wilderness,Sion is a wilderness, Jerusalem a desolation:our holy and our beautiful house, where our fathers praised thee.We have sinned, and are as an unclean thing, and we all do fade as a leaf:and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away:thou hast hid thy face from us:and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities.Behold, O Lord, the affliction of thy people, and send forth him whom thou wilt send; send forth the Lamb, the ruler of the earth, from Petra of the desert to the mount of the daughter of Sion:that he may take away the yoke of our captivity.Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen; that ye may know me and believe me: I, even I, am the Lord, and beside me there is no Saviour: and there is none that can deliver out of my hand.Comfort ye, comfort ye my people; my salvation shall not tarry: why wilt thou waste away in sadness? why hath sorrow seized thee?Fear not, for I will save thee: For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Redeemer.