March Romaine

Organist and Choirmaster Harold R. Conti plays, "March Romaine," accompanied by trumpets for the "Christmas At Saint Mary's," narrow groove vinyl LP in 1961. Each Christmas Eve and for the High Mass on Christmas Day, as the church was packed and the front entrance was held open, the youngest boys would be formed into two columns to lead the procession. The youngest boys would be situated directly between the brown steel supports and below the organ console and listen for the massive shift in organ stops in the ceiling above which indicated the music was about to begin. This piece of music was the traditional entrance for High Mass at Christmastime at the Church of Saint Mary, Massillon, Ohio, U.S.A. for the Men and Boys Choir from 1961-1986. Lyrics were added, and this formed the sacred music piece entitled, "Praise Ye The Father, " also sung by the choir on The Centennial vinyl LP in 1976. The lyrics are as follows

Praise ye the Father
Praise the Lord, Praise Him all nations,
Praise ye the Father, Sing unto Him and bless His Name
Sing unto the Lord, for the Lord has made the Heavens,
O come let us worship, sing unto Him, sing psalms unto Him,
Bless the Lord (men) (call), bless the Lord (boys) (response),
Let us bless His Holy Name,
Bless ye the Lord (men) (call), Praise ye (boys) (response)
All His Host (men) (call), bless the Lord (boys) (response)
His Kingdom ruleth over all
Go ye (men) (call), go ye (boys) (response)
Bless the Lord (men) (call), He is God, it is He that reigneth (boys) (response)
Bless ye the Lord (boys) (call), bless ye (men) (response)
All His host (boys) (call), the Lord (men) (response)
His Kingdom ruleth over all
Know ye that the Lord, He is God, it is He that made us,
O give thanks, o give thanks unto the Lord, His mercy is everlasting,
Glory to the Father, glory to His Holy Name
Glory to the Father, glorify Him for evermore,
Sing unto the Lord Our God, come and let us sing unto the Lord,
O give thanks unto the Lord for He is good, come praise, praise ye the Lord,
Glory to the Father, glory to His Holy Name,
Glory to the Father, glorify Him for evermore,
Sing unto the Lord Our God, come and let us sing unto the Lord,
O give thanks unto the Lord for He is good, come praise, praise ye the Lord!