Breviary Hymn Translations

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mmboys07

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Could someone please explain:

I have a 3 volume Latin/English Divine Office published by collegville Press (1963). The Hymns are in prose form, and, in my view, not very interesting. I also have a one volume Breviary published in 1962 by Benziger (all English). The Hyms are in verse form and very
powerfull, again in my view. Which of the translation formats is more consistent with the latin original? Which is the more preferred English translation? I notice, the soon to be published Baronius 3 volume Divine Office will use the prose style of hyms, which will probably be a deal killer for me. Finally, historically, were the hymns, as they evolved, in prose or verse form? Thanks for any responses. M
 
The Latin Office hymns were in rhythmical, though not always rhymed, verse.

I don’t know about the Benziger edition as I’ve never really examined it, but the various Anglican translations of the Office hymns in the classic Office Books (Monastic Diurnal and such) did their best to retain the Latan meter and (when appropriate) rhyme, so they could be sung to the Plainsong melodies.
 
Seems I’ve heard of a book called HYMNS OF THE ROMAN BREVIARY AND MISSAL (or similar title).

I don’t know of the hymns therein follow the Latin meter and rhyme or not.
 
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