Most Ancient Catholic Hymns?

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What are some of the most ancient Catholic hymns or plainsongs (chants)? Thanks
 
On a related note, a number of years back I heard a then-new recording of first century Aramaic lyrics (based on original manuscripts, which were mostly variations on Scripture) set to tunes common to that era. The producer claimed that it was the closest approximation of first century Christian hymns that could be reconstructed. Hypnotic and beautiful. I was listening to the radio while driving and couldn’t write down the info. I’d love to find the recording.
 
Watchman said:
On a related note, a number of years back I heard a then-new recording of first century Aramaic lyrics (based on original manuscripts, which were mostly variations on Scripture) set to tunes common to that era. The producer claimed that it was the closest approximation of first century Christian hymns that could be reconstructed. Hypnotic and beautiful. I was listening to the radio while driving and couldn’t write down the info. I’d love to find the recording.
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I took a course where we heard such hymns. The manuscripts were found but the notation was too difficult to decipher so the recording only estimated what it sounded like I agree it was hypnotic. I believe some of the earliest hymns were Coptic. It is also believed that some parts of the NT…the passage from Phillipians often referred to as the Phillipians hymn, were exactly that, ancient hymns sung at liturgy that St. Paul incorporated into his letters. The Exultet I believe is thought to be from the second century.
 
The Eastern Vespers hymn “Phos hilaron”, attributed to St. Sophronios of Jerusalem, was called “ancient” by St. Basil in the 4th century.
 
Geremia said:
What are some of the most ancient Catholic hymns or plainsongs (chants)? Thanks
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Actually, Gregorian Chant originated from the way that the Jews would chant… we kept that Jewish tradition alive for its reverence and beauty.

"Now, just a little footnote on the Gregorian Chant. In reflecting on these things about Church music, I began to think about the Psalms a few years back. And a very obvious idea suddenly struck me. Why it didn’t come earlier I don’t know, but the fact is that the Psalms are songs. Every one of the 150 Psalms is meant to be sung; and was sung by the Jews. When this thought came to me, I immediately called a friend, a rabbi in San Francisco who runs the Hebrew School, and I asked, “Do you sing the Psalms at your synagogue?” “Well, no, we recite them,” he said. “Do you know what they sounded like when they were sung in the Old Testament times and the time of Jesus and the Apostles?” I asked. He said, “No, but why don’t you call this company in Upstate New York. They publish Hebrew music, and they may know.”

So, I called the company and they said, “We don’t know; call 1-800-JUDAISM.” So I did. And I got an information center for Jewish traditions, and they didn’t know either. But they said, “You call this music teacher in Manhattan. He will know.” So, I called this wonderful rabbi in Manhattan and we had a long conversation. At the end, I said, “I want to bring some focus to this, can you give me any idea what it sounded like when Jesus and his Apostles sang the Psalms?” He said, “Of course, Father. It sounded like Gregorian Chant. You got it from us.”

I was amazed. I called Professor William Mart, a Professor of Music at Stanford University and a friend. I said, “Bill, is this true?” He said, “Yes. The Psalm tones have their roots in ancient Jewish hymnody and psalmody.” So, you know something? If you sing the Psalms at Mass with the Gregorian tones, you are as close as you can get to praying with Jesus and Mary. They sang the Psalms in tones that have come down to us today in Gregorian Chant." -http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/religion/re0540.html
 
truevaticanii said:
Actually, Gregorian Chant originated from the way that the Jews would chant… we kept that Jewish tradition alive for its reverence and beauty.

"Now, just a little footnote on the Gregorian Chant. In reflecting on these things about Church music, I began to think about the Psalms a few years back. And a very obvious idea suddenly struck me. Why it didn’t come earlier I don’t know, but the fact is that the Psalms are songs. Every one of the 150 Psalms is meant to be sung; and was sung by the Jews. When this thought came to me, I immediately called a friend, a rabbi in San Francisco who runs the Hebrew School, and I asked, “Do you sing the Psalms at your synagogue?” “Well, no, we recite them,” he said. “Do you know what they sounded like when they were sung in the Old Testament times and the time of Jesus and the Apostles?” I asked. He said, “No, but why don’t you call this company in Upstate New York. They publish Hebrew music, and they may know.”

So, I called the company and they said, “We don’t know; call 1-800-JUDAISM.” So I did. And I got an information center for Jewish traditions, and they didn’t know either. But they said, “You call this music teacher in Manhattan. He will know.” So, I called this wonderful rabbi in Manhattan and we had a long conversation. At the end, I said, “I want to bring some focus to this, can you give me any idea what it sounded like when Jesus and his Apostles sang the Psalms?” He said, “Of course, Father. It sounded like Gregorian Chant. You got it from us.”

I was amazed. I called Professor William Mart, a Professor of Music at Stanford University and a friend. I said, “Bill, is this true?” He said, “Yes. The Psalm tones have their roots in ancient Jewish hymnody and psalmody.” So, you know something? If you sing the Psalms at Mass with the Gregorian tones, you are as close as you can get to praying with Jesus and Mary. They sang the Psalms in tones that have come down to us today in Gregorian Chant." -http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/religion/re0540.html
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-truevaticanii,
Wonderful inspiring and well told story of Judaeo-Catholic connections!👍 I can still picture in my mind the chanting of Aaron and Miriam and kin in the movie “The Ten Commandments” while the angel of death was to pass over the Jewish households whose doorposts were marked with the blood of lamb. I may have to get some Gregorian Chant music to familiarize myself with a term I’ve heard for many decades, though it is probably used in the Latin Masses on EWTN radio occasionally.
Is Panis Angelicus quite old in its origins?
How about Faith Of Our Fathers?
AMDG*🙂
 
Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence is a very ancient Christian hymn.
 
Here is my incomplete list in chronological order:

  1. *]Nunc Sancte Nobis Spiritus - Ascr. St. Ambrose †397
    *]Te Deum - Ascr. St. Nicetas †415
    *]Audi Benigne Conditor - St. Gregory †604
    *]Salve Festa Dies - Venantius Fortunatus †609
    *]Media Vita - Ascr. Notker †912
 
The Eastern Vespers hymn “Phos hilaron”, attributed to St. Sophronios of Jerusalem, was called “ancient” by St. Basil in the 4th century.
http://www.*********.com/img/4713/n09x0302vnsn/clear.gif
 
How about “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”? I recall it credited with a date in the 8th century, and it’s probably the one hymn that makes me wish Advent were a longer season.
 
Geremia said:
Here is my incomplete list in chronological order:

  1. *]Nunc Sancte Nobis Spiritus - Ascr. St. Ambrose †397
    *]Te Deum - Ascr. St. Nicetas †415
    *]Audi Benigne Conditor - St. Gregory †604
    *]Salve Festa Dies - Venantius Fortunatus †609
    *]Media Vita - Ascr. Notker †912
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  1. Geremia,
    ;)If you or someone here has the time and know-how it would be helpful to have all submissions put in chronological order… for those with a need for order and logic as learning aids.🤷
 
adstrinity said:
Isn’t John 1 (in part or in whole) a hymn?
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Yeah, I suppose if you included the Magnificat and other biblical canticles, the list would be longer. But I am mainly referring to musical compositions.
 
Not meaning to hijack this thread, but didn’t Western chant come from the East, which in turn came from Jewish chant? And isn’t the way it is chanted have to do with not evoking passionate responses during singing?
 
Is there anywhere on the internet to download any traditional hymns or music?
 
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