Metrics in Music
  by Fred Schaeffer, SFO

Most of us Franciscans pray the Liturgy of the Hours every day. For the First and Second Order, it is mandatory, as it is for all priests and brothers, diocesan or religious. People who are members of Third Orders Secular, may pray different forms of the Liturgy of the Hours. There are Orders, such as the Benedictines, for example, who use Gregorian Chant as a basis for all their Liturgies. In all of these forms, there are hymns, and hymn tunes are very standardized because their tune or melody is adapted around the metrics of those hymns.

The purpose of this web page is then to show members of SFO, and similar Orders, that they can remember hymn tunes, because there is no need to remember them all. The reason is simple... once you know the standard hymn tunes based on the metric system, these can be applied to all hymns which have the same metric rating.

Metric rating is done by line of each stanza, simply by counting the syllables. For example, take the first line of the hymn "Pange Lingua" which reads: "Pange Lingua Gloriosi" - there are 8 syllables in this line, let us separate them:
"Pan-ge-Lin-gua-Glo-ri-o-si" that's 8 syllables.

Now, in English, the hymn "I shall praise the Savior's glory": is traditionally sung, using the Pange Lingua tune. The first line "I shall praise the Sa-vior's glo-ry" - also have 8 sylables. But that's only one line. The Meter of both hymns is noted as: 87.87.87 - which means that there are six lines and that the first, third and fifth lines have 8 syllables and the second, fourth and sixth lines have 7 syllables.

Let's take another example, something easier, perhaps. "Sunday Week II Evening Prayer I" uses the hymn "At the Name of Jesus" composed by R. Vaughan Williams using the "King Weston" melody. The Meter of this hymn is 65.65.D - which means each stanza has 8 lines ("D" mean double). Let's examine the first two lines:

At the name of Je-sus   = 6 syllables
  Ev'-ry knee shall bow = 5 syllables.

One more example. The hymn for Thursday Week II Morning Prayer, is "O God of Light, the dawning day."  When you look underneath the hymn you will find no numbers but the letters L.M. which stands for Long Meter. There are several of those designations, e.g. CM or Common Meter, LM Long Meter, etc.

In simple terms, meter refers to the rhythmic and syllabic structure of a piece of poetry, which is essentially what a hymn is.  Meter markings on hymn tunes indicate the number of syllables in each line of the hymn.  For instance:

          A hymn with the meter 76 76 has seven syllables in the first line, six in the second, seven in the third, and six in the fourth.  A hymn with the meter of 10 10 10 10 has four lines, each with ten syllables.  The letter D at the end of a meter notation means "double."  For instance, a hymn with the meter 87 87 D has eight syllables in the first line, seven in the second, eight in the third, seven in the fourth, then the pattern repeats itself for the fifth through eighth lines.

          Some meters are used so frequently they have acquired names of their own:

          86 86 is known as Common Meter (abbreviated CM)

          66 86 is known as Short Meter (abbreviated SM)

          88 88 is known as Long Meter (abbreviated LM)

          Again, when the letter D follows any of these, the pattern is repeated.

          When looking at the metrical index of a hymnal, one often finds some hymns listed with the meter "Irregular."  This means a couple of different things.  For one, it can mean there is no consistent pattern of number of syllables per line.  For another, it can mean the number of syllables per line is not consistent between stanzas.  This can happen especially when slurs are used in some stanzas and not in others in the same part of the music.

          In addition, most hymnals do not count out the number of syllables in refrains.  Thus, if a hymn is listed as "CMD with Refrain," it means the stanzas are Common Meter Double, and the refrain is in addition.  The only way to know for sure is to count the syllables in the refrain.

If you are using Christian Prayer, there will either be a listing of hymns without notes, or, hymns with notes, depending on the edition. In either case, it will give you the Meter. For example, Hymn #35, "The Setting Sun" shows "Melody: Angelus L.M." - What's important to us is "LM" or Long Meter. So when you know the tune of this hymn, one could apply the same tune to all Long Meter Hymns. Instead of knowing just one hymn, you now know dozens!

 Abbreviations:  w/ with; A Alleluias; An Antiphon; R Refrain

No.

75
171
14
103
131
52
11
121
112
27
173
81
116
39

57
67
65
180
181
18
2

170
154
17
115

120
123
111
127
23
133
56
139
86
61
101

5
42
96

31
21
46
28
172
93
37
44
19

20
69

70
13
135
90
142

162
102
122
160
143
107
58
137
24
49
132
158
22
129

114
108
10

118
78
79

98

100
45
124
145
29
34
26
25
134
94

7
87
174

55
156
157
165
185
4
30
159
164
110

51
41
178
169
85
179
32

136
33
71
63
150
36
15
182
80
184
148
104
43
54
1

125

8
151
166
88

167

176

130
140
77
82
9
3
72
84

92
155
64
117
168
89
163
146
126
59
175
53
66
35
128
109
152
12
106
95
177

50
149
138
141


68
76

73

60
47
48
16
113
105
74
147
99
97

38
83
144
6
183
91

119
62
153

 First Line

A Child is born in Bethlehem
A mighty fortress is our God
All creatures of our God
All glory, praise and honor
All hail, adored Trinity
All praise to you, O God
All you nations
Alleluia! Sing to Jesus
Alleluia! The strife is o'er
Almighty Ruler, God of truth
Amazing grace
As with gladness men of old
At the Lamb's high feast
At the name of Jesus

Be consoled, my people
Behold, a rose of Judah
Behold a Virgin bearing him
Blessed are the poor of heart
Blest are the pure in heart
Breathe on me, breath of God
Brightness of the Father's glory

Christ, in whose passion
Christ is made our sure foundation
Christ is the world's light
Christ Jesus lay in death's
strong bands
Christ the Lord is risen today
Christ the Lord is ris'n today
Christ, victim for the sins
Come, Holy Ghost, Creator come
Come, Holy Ghost, who ever one
Come, thou almighty King
Come, thou long-expected Jesus
Come to me
Creator of the earth and skies
Creator of the stars of night
Crown him with many crowns

Darkness has faded
Day is done
Draw near, O Lord

Faith of our fathers
Father, Lord of earth and heaven
Father, we thank thee
Firmly I believe and truly
For all the saints
For forty years
For the fruits of his creation
For to those who love God
From all that dwell below the
skies
From all that dwell below
From heaven high

Go tell it on the mountain
God Father, praise and glory
God with hidden majesty
Grant to us
Great Saint Andrew

Hail, holy queen
Hail, Redeemer, King Divine
Hail thee, festival day
Hail this festival day
Hail to the Lord who comes
Have mercy, O Lord
Hear the herald voice
Heart of Christ
Help us, O Lord
Holy God, we praise thy name
Holy, holy, holy
Holy Mary, now we crown you
Holy Spirit, come confirm us
Holy Spirit, God of light

I am the bread of life
I shall praise the Savior's glory
I sing the mighty power of God

Jesus Christ is ris'n today
Joseph
Joy to you

Keep in mind

Let all mortal flesh keep silence
Let all things now living
Let the earth rejoice and sing
Look down to us, Saint Joseph
Lord God and Maker of all things
Lord Jesus Christ, abide with us
Lord of all being throned afar
Lord of all hopefulness
Lord, who at your first Eucharist
Lord, who throughout these
forty days
Lord, whose love in humble
Love divine all loves excelling
Loving Shepherd of thy sheep

Maranatha
Mary, crowned with living light
Mary Immaculate
Mary the dawn
May flights of angels
Morning has broken
Most ancient of all mysteries
Mother of Christ
Mother of holy hope
My loving Savior

Now at the daylight's ending
Now fades all earthly splendor
Now from the heav'ns
Now let the heav'ns resound
Now let us all with one accord
Now let us praise
Now thank we all our God

O Christ, Redeemer of mankind
O Christ, you are the light
O come, all ye faithful
O come, O come Emmanuel
O cross of Christ, immortal tree
O Father, whose creating hand
O God of light
O God, our help in ages past
O Mary, of all women
O radiant Light, O Sun divine
O raise your eyes on high
O Sacred Head, surrounded
O worship the King
On Jordan's bank
On this day, the first of days

Praise him as he mounts the
skies
Praise, my soul
Praise the Lord, ye heavens
Praise to Mary, heaven's gate
Praise to the holiest

Queen of heaven

Rise up, O men of God

Send forth your Spirit
Shepherd of souls, in love come
Sing of Mary, pure and lowly
Sing praise to our Creator
Sing with all the sons of glory
Sion, sing
Songs of praise the angels sang
Songs of thankfulness and praise

Take up your cross
The Church's one foundation
The coming of our God
The day of resurrection
The eternal gifts of Christ
The glory of these forty days
The God whom earth and sea
The great forerunner
The head that once was crowned
The King of glory
The King of love my shepherd is
The Master came
The night now is ending
The setting sun
The Spirit of God
The word of God proceeding
They come, God's messengers
This day God gives me
This I ask
This is our accepted time
This is the feast day of the
Lord's true witness
This world, my God
'Tis good, Lord, to be here
To Christ, the Prince of peace
To Jesus Christ, our sov'reign
King

Unto us a child is born
Unto us a child is given

Virgin-born, we bow before you

Wake, awake, the night is dying
We plough the fields and scatter
We praise you, Father
We turn to you, O God
We who once were dead
Were you there?
What child is this?
What fairer light?
When from the darkness
When I survey the wondrous
cross
When, in his own image
When Jesus comes
When Mary brought her treasure
When morning fills the sky
Who would true valor see
With hearts renewed

Ye Sons and Daughters
You Heavens, open from above
You holy angels bright

 Meter

88 w/A & R
87.87.66.667
88.44.88 w/A
76.76.D
LM
LM
Irregular
87.87.D
8.8.8.w/A
CM
CM
77.77.77.
77.77.D
65.65.D

Irregular
76.76.676
LM
Irregular
SM
SM
87.87

LM
87.87.87
11.11.11.5
87.87.78.74

7.7.7.7 w/A
77.77.D
LM
CM
LM
666.6664
87.87
Irregular
LM
LM
SMD

11.11.11.5
84.84.88.84
11.11.11 w/R

LM
87.87
98.98.D
87.87
10.10.10 w/A
12.12.12.12 w/R
84.84.88.84
Irregular
LM w/A

LM
LM

Irregular
76.76 w/R
75.75.D
Irregular
87.87.D

Irregular w/An
77.77.D
Irregular w/R
Irregular w/An
66.66
Irregular w/An
87.87
87.87
SM
78.78.77
11.12.12.10
87.87
87.87
7.7.7.D

Irregular
87.87.87
CMD

7.7.7.7 w/A
10.10.10.6
Irregular w/An

Irregular w/An

87.87.87
Irregular
7.7.7.7
76.76 D
LM
LM
LM
10.11.11.12
10.10.10D
CM

87.87.D
87.87.D
77.77

Irregular w/An
75.75.D
11.10.11.10
Irregular
10.10.10.10.10.10
55.54.D
CM
10.10.10.10
Irregular w/An
11.11.11.5

76.76
76.76.D
76.76.D
LM
LM
10.10.10 w/A
67.67.66.66

CM
CM
Irregular w/R
LM w/R
CM
88.88.88
LM
CM
76.76 D
LM
CM
76.76.D
55.55.65.55
LM
77.77

7.7.7.7 w/A

87.87.87
87.87.D
77.77
CM

Irregular w/An

SM

Irregular w/An
98.98.88
87.87.D
76.76 w/R
87.87.D
Irregular w/An
77.77
77.77

LM
76.76.D
SM
76.76.D
LM
LM
LM
LM
CM
12.12 w/R
87.87
87.87 w/R
Irregular w/R
LM
Irregular w/An
LM
LM
55.54.D
Irregular
76.76 D
11.11.11.5

10.10.10.10
SM
SM
87.87 w/R


Irregular w/An
87.87

88.77.D

898.898.664.448
76.76 D w/R
LM
11.10.11.10
56.56.5
10.10 w/R
87.87.68.67
12.12.D
89.89.4
LM

65.65.D
LM
76.76.676
667.667.D
65.65.66.65
887.887.48.48

8.8.8. w/A
Irregular w/R
66.66.44.44

 Similar Hymns (i.e. same Meter) by Number

It is immediately obvious that Long Meter (LM) occurs most frequently in the table. While there are various forms of LM, any one of those will fit with any LM hymn.

Everyone knows the tune of "Faith of Our Fathers" - so now you know a tune that fits all LM hymns.

87.87 is another frequently occurring meter. Most of us know "Allelluia, Sing to Jesus" or
"Holy Spirit Come Confirm Us" - you can apply that tune to all 87.87 and also the "D" form (just repeat the tune).

A word about some of the "Irregulars." If some of your Fraternities have good singers, you could, for example, learn all hymns by Lucien Deiss, C.S.Sp. A frequently sung Lenten hymn "Grant to us" comes to mind. His hymns are very melodic and special. And, it is customary that the cantor sing the verses and all sing the Antiphon or Refrain.

At Divine Mercy Fraternity, we often use the "Old 100th" tune, which is interchangeable with LM. It is a 16th Century tune (see "Lord Jesus Christ, Abide with Us" it'll say "Old 100th L.M."

There are a number of choices for CM, but the most useful one is for the hymn "O God, our help in ages past," which many people know. All the CM hymns can be used with that tune.

76.76.D is another common tune. "Now fades all earthly splendor" will help you with this meter type.

So you, see, my friends, you already know dozens of hymns by just knowing a couple of key hymns! And, the Bible says that Singing is Praying Twice, so those for whom you are offering your prayer will benefit doubly. In fact, when I am alone, I sing the whole "Office." It just comes natural especially when I pray to the Holy Spirit beforehand to make my prayer more pleasing to God!

The 4-volume "Liturgy of the Hours" books have more and different hymns than those listed in this table, which occur in the 1-vol. "Christian Prayer."

Peace and Good to All!
                      Fred Schaeffer, SFO 7/23/2005

The Catechism of the Catholic Church gives us the following advice:

2680 - Prayer is primarily addressed to the Father; it can also be directed toward Jesus, particularly by the invocation of his holy name: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us sinners."

2681 - "No one can say 'Jesus is Lord', except by the Holy Spirit" (1 Cor 12:3). The Church invites us to invoke the Holy Spirit as the interior Teacher of Christian prayer.

2682 - Because of Mary's singular cooperation with the action of the Holy Spirit, the Church loves to pray in communion with the Virgin Mary, to magnify with her the great things the Lord has done for her, and to entrust supplications and praises to her.

Always pray to the Holy Spirit to bless the prayer you're about to pray. If you are not in a state of Grace, it is unwise to aver your love for the Father, for in fact, when we sin we do not love God. Pray for forgiveness without reservation, experience the Sacrament of Reconciliation more often, and strive to live a holy life.

From: MUSICAM SACRAM
Congregation for Divine Worship
INSTRUCTION ON MUSIC IN THE LITURGY
Sacred Congregation of Rites
5 March, 1967

II. The Singing Of The Divine Office

37. The sung celebration of the Divine Office is the form which best accords with the nature of this prayer. It expresses its solemnity in a fuller way and expresses a deeper union of hearts in performing the praises of God. That is why, in accordance with the wish of the Constitution on the Liturgy,[23] this sung form is strongly recommended to those who celebrate the Office in choir or in common.

For it is desirable that at least some part of the Divine Office, especially the principal Hours, namely Lauds and Vespers, should be performed in sung form by these people, at least on Sundays and feast days.

Other clerics also, who live in common for the purpose of studies, or who meet for retreats or other purposes, will sanctify their meetings in a very fitting way if they celebrate some parts of the Divine Office in sung form.

38. When the Divine Office is to be celebrated in sung form, a principle of "progressive" solemnity can be used, inasmuch as those parts which lend themselves more directly to a sung form, e.g. dialogues, hymns, verses and canticles, may be sung, and the rest recited. This does not change the rules at present in force for those obliged to choir, nor does it change particular indults.

39. One will invite the faithful, ensuring that they receive the requisite instruction, to celebrate in common on Sundays and feast days certain parts of the Divine Office, especially Vesper,, or, according to the customs of the particular area and assembly, other Hours. In general, the faithful, particularly the more educated, should be led by suitable teaching, to understand the psalms in a Christian sense and use them in their own prayers, so that they may gradually acquire a stronger taste for the use of the public prayer of the Church.

40. The members of Institutes professing the evangelical virtues should be given special instruction of this type, so that they may draw from it more abundant riches for the development of their spiritual life. It is desirable also that they should participate more fully in the public prayer of the Church by performing the principal Hours of the Office in sung form, as far as possible.

41. In accordance with the norm of the Constitution on the Liturgy and the centuries-old tradition of the Latin rite, the Latin language is to be retained for clerics celebrating the Divine Office in choir.[24] Since however the same Liturgy Constitution[25] concedes the use of the vernacular in the Divine Office both by the faithful and by nuns and other members of Institutes professing the evangelical virtues, who are not clerics, due care should be taken that melodies are prepared which may be used in the singing of the Divine Office in the vernacular.

 

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