You're THAT old, Sinsull?
[wicked grin]

-Joe, who may be older, but he comes from a progressive upbringing-

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I think the GIA Article merits copy-pasting. I don't think Moleck is advocating the use of this hymn. I see no comparison to "Te Deum," which is a classic hymn. Moleck compares the song to the rousing Daniel Lord anthems, "Holy God We Praise Thy Name" (which I happen to like, although I hate myself for liking it) and "An Army of Youth" (a really dorky song which I have sung many times in a mocking tone)

Table Talk by Fred Moleck

Papal Hymns

At this writing, the Holy Father is convalescing after undergoing a tracheotomy. This latest visit to the hospital has restarted the speculation about his continuing his pontificate. If you don’t think he is not a major player in world affairs, just review last week’s news programs.

It has also caused me to search through hymnals, past and present, for any text and tune that prays for the pope.

Probably the all time favorite hymn, widely sung in this part of the country, is a post-Victorian gem, which was found in some early St. Basil’s hymnals.

“Long Live the Pope” was sung by hundreds, if not thousands, of school children to commemorate parish celebrations. It was also chosen when a rousing hymn was needed to “cap” a Mass.

The text by Rt. Rev. Msgr. Hugh T. Henry, Litt.D, was copyrighted in 1908 along with the tune by Henry G. Ganss.

Monsignor Henry was professor for some time at Catholic University of America, and one of the country’s leading hymnologists in the early part of the last century.

Henry Ganss, has some recognition in this part of Pennsylvania. He was a boy student at St. Vincent College Seminary in the 1880s. That’s when kids were sent off to seminary school when they were around twelve years old.

Ganss was later ordained a priest for the Diocese of Harrisburg. His typewritten memoirs as a student at St. Vincent are housed in the library archives at St. Vincent in Latrobe, Pennsylvania.

The text has some charm. The theology is of the triumphalist school. I cite it here in its entirety so you can enjoy this gem of hymnody from our Church’s family album.

Long live the Pope! His praises sound
    Again and yet again:
His rule is over space and time;
    His throne the hearts of men:
All hail! the Shepherd King of Rome,
    The theme of loving song:
Let all the earth his glory sing,
    And heav’n the strain prolong.

Beleaguered by the foes of earth,
    Beset by hosts of hell,
He guards the loyal flock of Christ,
    A watchful sentinel:
And yet, amid the din and strife,
    The clash of mace and sword,
He bears alone the shepherd staff,
    This champion of the Lord.

His signet is the Fisherman’s;
    No sceptre does he bear;
In meek and lowly majesty
    He rules from Peter’s Chair:
And yet from every tribe and tongue,
    From every clime and zone,
Three hundred million voices sing,
    The glory of his throne.

Then raise the chant, with heart and voice,
    In church and school and home:
“Long live the Shepherd of the Flock!
    Long live the Pope of Rome!”
Almighty Father, bless his work,
    Protect him in his ways,
Receive his prayers, fulfill his hopes,
    And grant him “length of days.”

You need to know that the tune and its crafted harmonization are vintage popular romanticism. No parallel fifths, good voice-leading, and a bass line that is never static.

The high point of the tune occurs in the last four bars, which are introduced with a rising triplet and a powerful descending three-note pattern—inevitably bellowed by the choir’s basses.

This “Catholic classic” ranks up there with “Holy God, We Praise Thy Name” and “An Army of Youth” by Daniel Lord, SJ.

Another item from the papal hymn section of our family album that carries a little more artistic merit is the acclamation “Christus vincit! Christus regnat! Christus imperat!”

But that’s next week’s TableTalk.

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There may be no parallel fifths, but there's a really dissonant seventh in the harmony arrangement I posted.
-Joe Offer-