Lourdes Pilgrim Tune
  • Don9of11Don9of11
    Posts: 708
    I was doing some research on this melody and came across a curious attribution I found in a French hymnal - CANTIQUES CHOISIS, 1951. It indicates the composer as Abbot F.-X. Moreau.

    Another source found here https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ave_Maria_de_Lourdes, indicates the origin of the melody is borrowed from a tune composed by Fr. Louis Lambillotte. I have found collections of Lambillotte works from 1842 and 1867 but I haven't found the melody among them.

    And this source gives details about the hymn writer Abbot Jean Gaignet. https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&u=https://aufildelapense.wordpress.com/2018/08/15/les-ave-maria-de-lourdes/&prev=search&pto=aue which indicate the hymn was written in 1873, and is composed of two separate melodies. It is a very interesting story.

    I have a few French hymnals in my collection and the earliest is 1912 but the attribution is simply Air de Lourdes. The others in my collection give no attribution and like American hymnals, the tune is being used for other hymns. I've attached the arrangement indicating Abbot Moreau and my 1912 copy. Are there any forum members who have French hymnals from an earlier time period with the melody that might show an attribution?

    I thought you might find this information interesting.
    1951 - Cantiques Choisis - Amour a Coeur de Jesus.pdf
    36K
    1912 Cantiques de la Jeunesse - Immaculate Mary.pdf
    69K
    Thanked by 2chonak oldhymns
  • Chrism
    Posts: 872
    While derived from the same root as abbot, Abbé in French generally signifies a simple diocesan priest. I found a few details about Fr. Moreau online...
    Thanked by 2Don9of11 Felicia
  • Liam
    Posts: 5,093
    Background on the development of the alternative approach to the chorus:

    https://forum.musicasacra.com/forum/discussion/comment/229844#Comment_229844
  • Don9of11Don9of11
    Posts: 708
    @Chrism, the link to Fr. Moreau proved fruitful, some of his music was available for download. His Les échos de Lourdes, 1881, #6 Ave Maria, is the Lourdes tune, with six Ave's.

    @Liam, this is very interesting. Thanks.
  • Felicia
    Posts: 116
    F.-X. Moreau is also credited as the composer of "Tu reinarás", a hymn popular with Spanish-speaking people.
    Thanked by 1Don9of11
  • VocesCapituli
    Posts: 123
    Just as 'french fries' are not French but Flemish, I am' happy to say it is not French (the adaptation of the text is of course) but Flemisch: The melody of this song was written by Constant VERHULST (1838-1923) from Berlaar. The music was made on 10 May 1857, one year before the apparitions in LOURDES, for a feast of Mary in BERLAAR. After the apparitions the then Sister Superior of BERLAAR wrote the well-known text (te Lourdes op de bergen = In Lourdes on the mountain) to the tune of CONSTANT VERHULST.'
    Thanked by 4smvanroode Don9of11 CHGiffen chonak
  • Don9of11Don9of11
    Posts: 708
    @VocesCapituli, can you provide some proof of your information? This is very interesting if true.

    A search on the internet for the composer took me to the library of Berlaar. https://berlaar.bibliotheek.be/catalogus/constant-verhulst-componist-van-het-lied-te-lourdes-op-de-bergen-1838-1923/boek/library-m-pbs_c-pba-5379765

    There are also a number of YouTube videos. Did the music appear in any hymnals or sheet music?
  • davido
    Posts: 942
    Wow, vocescapituli, this is doctoral dissertation style info. Would love to see the references.
    Thanked by 1Don9of11
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