Curious edit of “The First Nowell” in OCP hymnals
  • CatholicZ09
    Posts: 296
    A few years ago when listening to “The First Nowell” being sung at a GIA parish, I was struck with the final verse:

    Then let us all with one accord
    sing praises to our heavenly Lord
    who made the heavens and earth of naught,
    and with his blood our life has bought.

    This was odd to me because, growing up in an OCP parish, I always knew this verse as:

    Then let us all with one accord
    sing praises to our heavenly Lord
    Who with the Father we adore,
    And Spirit blest forevermore.


    I believe the GIA version is closer to the original text. I also think the OCP edit is supposed to be “Whom…” not “Who…” but I digress.

    I know I’m being trivial, but it just seems odd to edit out the reference to Christ’s Passion. Trinitarian verses are fine, of course, but this is an odd decision, IMHO.
    Thanked by 2CHGiffen RC_Liturgy_Music
  • RC_Liturgy_Music
    Posts: 7
    It appears that the 6th verse found in OCP's resources is also found in most GIA resources. For example, Gather Comp 1 and 2, RitualSong 1 and 2, Worship 3, as well as other arrangements by Proulx and Alonso all have the "OCP" 6th verse. The only hymnals that have the "GIA final verse" (at least according to Hymnary) are Gather 3 and Worship 4.

    Nevertheless, an interesting note. Our experience has been that that GIA is usually the company who changes words (no offense to our friends at GIA!).
    Thanked by 1Roborgelmeister
  • irishtenoririshtenor
    Posts: 1,342
    In "Carols, New and Old" from 1878-1879, the sixth verse is:

    Then let us all with one accord,
    Sing praises to our Heavenly Lord,
    That hath made Heaven and earth of naught,
    And with His Blood mankind hath bought.
    Thanked by 4RC_Liturgy_Music CHGiffen ServiamScores tomjaw
  • CatholicZ09
    Posts: 296
    RC, interesting! I find good and bad with edits in both GIA and OCP. I like some things in GIA (as the case with “The First Nowell”), but then I like some versions of hymns with OCP. I find OCP is more likely to keep “thee”s and “thou”s and other more antiquated language than GIA.

    It’s very interesting to see what they choose to change or keep the same.
    Thanked by 1RC_Liturgy_Music
  • RC_Liturgy_Music
    Posts: 7
    Yes, absolutely! It's interesting for sure.
  • Brian Michael Page
    Posts: 159
    I have an Ignatius Pew Missal in front of me at work:
    6. Then let us all with one accord
    Sing praises to our heav'nly Lord,
    That hath made heav'n and earth of nought,
    And with his blood mankind hath bought.
    (same as what "irishtenor" posted, the only difference being the spelling of "nought/naught")
    BMP
    Thanked by 1irishtenor
  • Liam
    Posts: 5,142
    I referred to the first decade of this century as the Naughties.

    The so-called "aughts" of the 20th century arose from the fact that the fourth N in "NiNeteeN-Naught-[#]" was merged with the third. No need for that in the 21st century.
    Thanked by 2CHGiffen irishtenor
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