I Shall Praise the Savior's Glory / Pange Lingua

Born for Us, and For Us Given

I Shall Praise the Savior's Glory is an Anthony G. Petti adaption of the English translation by Fr. Edward Caswall (1814-1878) of the 13th century Latin hymn, Pange Lingua by Saint Thomas Aquinas (c.1225-1274). Caswell's original translation: Sing, My Tongue, the Savior's Glory was first published in 1850, the same year he left the Anglican Church and converted to Catholicism; following in the footsteps of his friend, Cardinal Newman. Caswall's translations from latin were noted and respected for their faithfulness to the original text, while respecting the rhythm and lyrical qualities of his english verse. The Italian Dominican Priest and Doctor of the Church, Thomas Aquinas is famous as an influential philosopher and scholastic theologian. In 1264 Aquinas was commissioned by Pope Urban IV (c.1195-1264) to compose an Office for the institution of the Feast of Corpus Christi. Pange, Lingua, Gloriosi (Acclaim, My Tongue, This Mystery) was one of several hymns written for the Office. Stanzas 5 and 6 (Tantum Ergo) are often sung at Benediction. In 2006, Catholic recording artist, Matt Maher recorded a contemporary version, Adoration that incorporates a praise chorus with the ancient text. The tune, Pange Lingua is sung in Mode III, Vatican Plainsong. In the Liturgy of the Hours, I Shall Praise the Savior's Glory is used during Holy Week.



PANGE, LINGUA, GLORIOSI by Thomas Aquinas, 1264 (Public Domain)

Pange, lingua, gloriosi
Corporis mysterium,
Sanguinisque pretiosi,
quem in mundi pretium
fructus ventris generosi
Rex effudit Gentium.

Nobis datus, nobis natus
ex intacta Virgine,
et in mundo conversatus,
sparso verbi semine,
sui moras incolatus
miro clausit ordine.

In supremae nocte coenae
recumbens cum fratribus
observata lege plene
cibis in legalibus,
cibum turbae duodenae
se dat suis manibus.

Verbum caro, panem verum
verbo carnem efficit:
fitque sanguis Christi merum,
et si sensus deficit,
ad firmandum cor sincerum
sola fides sufficit.

Tantum ergo Sacramentum
veneremur cernui:
et antiquum documentum
novo cedat ritui:
praestet fides supplementum
sensuum defectui.

Genitori, Genitoque
laus et jubilatio,
salus, honor, virtus quoque
sit et benedictio:
Procedenti ab utroque
compar sit laudatio.

Amen. Alleluja.