Lourdes Pilgrim Tune

Don9of11

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.

Chrism

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...

Liam

Background on the development of the alternative approach to the chorus:

https://forum.musicasacra.com/forum/discussion/comment/229844#Comment_229844

Don9of11

@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

F.-X. Moreau is also credited as the composer of "Tu reinarás", a hymn popular with Spanish-speaking people.

VocesCapituli

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.'

Don9of11

@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

Wow, vocescapituli, this is doctoral dissertation style info. Would love to see the references.

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