Origin of Common Alleluia
  • SJBCmusic
    Posts: 36
    Does anyone know the origin of the well-known alleluia with the melody CCCGG ' AFEFG ' FEDCC? Is it an authentic Gregorian chant or something modern? It seems to be almost universally known (at least in the US at any rate), but I've never seen it in print.
  • BenBen
    Posts: 3,114
    Never heard it's before. May be its a regional thing?
  • CharlesW
    Posts: 11,978
    I think it is by a composer named Twynham, and I believe his first name is Robert. St. Google says he worked in Baltimore and was well known there.
  • SalieriSalieri
    Posts: 3,177
    That's by Robert F Twynham.
  • SJBCmusic
    Posts: 36
    Thanks, guys! A Google search for "twynham alleluia" revealed that it's published by WLP and also appears to be included in the current US military book of worship/hymnal, which might explain why it seems to have made the rounds. So, definitely not chant—although it could easily be notated in neumes.
  • SalieriSalieri
    Posts: 3,177
    I have seen it notated in neums, though I forget where... I used to use it with the Mode V tone for the verse. Actually, very effective.
    Thanked by 1Chris Allen
  • Jani
    Posts: 441
    Holy. Cow. Someone in my parish claims that this was something she made up! On principle, I never sang it - I just muttered a spoken alleluia. Funny thing - she's not a musician in any sense of the word - she can just play a few guitar chords. Don't know where she would have been exposed to it.
  • Adam WoodAdam Wood
    Posts: 6,482
    http://en.memory-alpha.org/wiki/Hodgkin's_Law_of_Parallel_Planetary_Development
  • redsox1
    Posts: 217
    Robert Twynham was DM at the the Baltimore cathedral for many years. We used that Alleluia setting quite often at the Shrine, particularly for daily Mass.
  • Earl_GreyEarl_Grey
    Posts: 904
    I grew up with that one and we didn't have WLP books. Haven't heard it in years, but there it is. Oh the memories.
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