is a hymn written by St.
(now called the Solemnity of the Holy Body and Blood of Christ). Some writers feel that the rhythm was based on the marching song of
's Legions: "Ecce, Caesar nunc triumphat qui subegit Gallias;" the opening words recall another famous
. It is also used on
when the last two stanzas, called separately Tantum Ergo, are sung at Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Both the hymn and liturgical observances celebrate a
where the bread and wine is believed in faith to be changed into the Body and Blood of
Latin text and English translation
\nPange, lingua, gloriosi Sing, my tongue, the Savior's glory,\nCorporis mysterium, of His flesh the mystery sing;\nSanguinisque pretiosi, of the Blood, all price exceeding,\nquem in mundi pretium shed by our immortal King,\nfructus ventris generosi destined, for the world's redemption,\nRex effudit Gentium. from a noble womb to spring.
Nobis datus, nobis natus Of a pure and spotless Virgin\nex intacta Virgine, born for us on earth below,\net in mundo conversatus, He, as Man, with man conversing,\nsparso verbi semine, stayed, the seeds of truth to sow;\nsui moras incolatus then He closed in solemn order\nmiro clausit ordine. wondrously His life of woe.
In supremae nocte coenae On the night of that Last Supper,\nrecumbens cum fratribus seated with His chosen band,\nobservata lege plene He the Pascal victim eating,\ncibis in legalibus, first fulfills the Law's command;\ncibum turbae duodenae then as Food to His Apostles\nse dat suis manibus. gives Himself with His own hand.
Verbum caro, panem verum Word-made-Flesh, the bread of nature\nverbo carnem efficit: by His word to Flesh He turns;\nfitque sanguis Christi merum, wine into His Blood He changes;\net si sensus deficit, what though sense no change discerns?\nad firmandum cor sincerum Only be the heart in earnest,\nsola fides sufficit. faith her lesson quickly learns.
Tantum ergo Sacramentum Down in adoration falling,\nveneremur cernui: Lo! the sacred Host we hail;\net antiquum documentum Lo! o'er ancient forms departing,\nnovo cedat ritui: newer rites of grace prevail;\npraestet fides supplementum faith for all defects supplying,\nsensuum defectui. where the feeble sense fail.
Genitori, Genitoque To the everlasting Father,\nlaus et jubilatio, and the Son who reigns on high,\nsalus, honor, virtus quoque with the Holy Ghost proceeding\nsit et benedictio: forth from Each eternally,\nprocedenti ab utroque be salvation, honor, blessing,\ncompar sit laudatio. might and endless majesty.
Amen. Alleluia. Amen. Alleluia. \n
Category:Christian hymns
Category:Poems