Center For Church Music, Songs & Hymns

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Gregorian Chant

The hymn tune, HAMBURG, of "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross," derives from Gregorian Chant, a type of church music popular in the Middle Ages. Gregorian chant was monophonic, having one melody line and no harmony or regular meter. The earliest church music known, Gregorian chant was inherited from Hebrew temple and Synagogue services.

Chants were developed in the segment of the church that was dominated by Rome. While they were intended for the choir only, chant melodies were instrumental in preserving some of the earliest hymns. Pope Gregory, in the sixth century, became concerned about these melodies, which numbered in the thousands. He was instrumental in improving and organizing these chants, which then became known as "Gregorian Chants."