Therefore We, before Him Bending

Use: Eucharistic, Communion
Required Resources: SA or TB choir, organ
Language: English or Latin

Saint Thomas Aquinas penned the magnificent Eucharistic hymn, Pange lingua gloriosi for the new feast of Corpus Christi created in 1264 by Pope Urban IV. The last two verses of this hymn are the familiar:

• Tantum ergo sacramentum ...
• Genitori Genitoque ...

These two Latin verses are translated and found in The Hymnal 1940 as:

Therefore we, before Him bending,
this great Sacrament revere;
Types and shadows have their ending,
for the newer rite is here;
Faith our outward sense befriending,
makes our inward vision clear.

Glory let us give and blessing
to the Father and the Son,
Honor, thanks, and praise addressing
while eternal ages run;
Ever too his love confessing,
who from both with both is One. Amen.

James Morrison has used these verses, set to a Spanish plainsong melody, for this two-part anthem with organ accompaniment. Originally scored for two sopranos, we have lowered the pitch one half step and added an alternate Latin text. The piece can still be sung by two soloists, but it is also useful as a choral piece for equal voices (SA or TB).

Mr. Morrison's musical style shows the influences of plainsong and sacred polyphony. Many harmonies are derived from the vocabularies of neo-modalism and the Romantic Renaissance. Compositional influences include the music of Tallis, Gibbons, Vaughan Williams, Howells, and Duruflé. Textures combine elements of homophonic and imitative technique. Special attention is given to ensure that musical accents agree with textual accents.