Hymn of St. Thomas Aquinas Top Pick

Composer
Difficulty
Moderate radio_button_checked radio_button_checked radio_button_checked radio_button_unchecked radio_button_unchecked
Voicing(s)
Instrumental Only?
No
Description

 

SATB Choir and Organ. A setting of Aquinas' Eucharistic hymn Adoro Te devote. Although the beautiful plainsong was never incorporated in the public services of the Church, it was added at an early date to various missals for private devotion. A wonderful anthem for communion.

Audio
Lyrics

Humbly I adore thee, Verity unseen,
who thy glory hidest, 'neath these shadows mean;
lo, to thee surrendered, my whole heart is bowed,
tranced as it beholds thee, shrined within the cloud.

Taste and touch and vision to discern thee fail;
faith, that comes by hearing, pierces through the veil.
I believe whate’er the Son of God hath told;
what the Truth hath spoken, that for truth I hold.

O memorial wondrous of the Lord’s own death;
living Bread that givest all they creatures breath,
grant my spirit ever by thy life may live,
to my taste thy sweetness never failing give.

Jesus, whom now hidden, I by faith behold,
what my soul doth long for, that thy word foretold;
face to face thy splendor, I at last shall see,
in the glorious vision, blessed Lord, of thee.