This SATB setting (including some divisi in all parts) of the beautiful Tantum Ergo text was commissioned by St. Michael and All Saints' Church, Edinburgh in memory of Elisabeth Swan in 2017. It was first performed by them under the direction of their music director Philip Redfern.
Recorded in 2018 by St Martin's Voices, conducted by Will Todd, Tantum Ergo is available on the album Passion Music and Jazz Missa Brevis on the Signum Classics label.
Tantum ergo Sacramentum
Veneremur cernui:
Et antiquum documentum
Novo cedat ritui:
Praestet fides supplementum
Sensuum defectui.
Genitori, Genitoque
Laus et iubilatio,
Salus, honor, virtus quoque
Sit et benedictio:
Procedenti ab utroque
Compar sit laudatio.
St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Down in adoration falling,
Lo! the sacred Host we hail,
Lo! o’er ancient forms departing
Newer rites of grace prevail;
Faith for all defects supplying,
Where the feeble senses fail.
To the Everlasting Father,
And the Son Who reigns on high
With the Holy Ghost proceeding
Forth from Each eternally,
Be salvation, honour, blessing,
Might, and endless majesty.