Down to the tenth century the only practice among
the Germans that could be called a popular church song
was the ejaculation of the words Kyrie eleuon^ Chrute
eleison. These phrases, which are among the most
ancient in the Mass and the litanies, and which came
originally from the Eastern Church, were sung or
shouted by the German Christians on all possible oc-
casions. In processions, on pilgrimages, at burials,
greeting of distinguished visitors, consecration of a
church or prelate, in many subordinate liturgic
offices, invocations of supernatural aid in times of dis-

1 Wackernagel, Das deutache Kirchenlied vtm der SUesten Zeit bu w
Anfang des XVII. JakrhunderU,

229



MUSIC IN THE WESTERN CHURCH

tress, on the march, going into battle, — in almost
eyery social action in which religious sanctions were
inyolved the people were in duly bound to utter this
phrase, often several hundred times in succession.
The words were often abbreviated into Kt/rieles^ Kyrie
eleii^ Kyrielle^ KerleU^ and Kle9^ and sometimes became
mere inarticulate cries.
When the phrase was formally sung, the Gregorian
tones proper to it in the church service were employed.
