Pange lingua
Maundy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper and the institution of the Eucharist. In many churches that have a Maundy Thursday liturgy, you will hear (or perhaps sing) the hymn Pange Lingua Gloriosi Corporis Mysterium by St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274).
The Gregorian melody associated with the text became a favorite of later composers who wrote numerous polyphonic compositions based on it.
This performance alternates the monophonic Gregorian melody (verses 1, 3, and 5) with polyphonic settings. Verses 2 and 6 come from the Trent Codices, seven volumes of polyphonic sacred music from the 15th century. Some of the works come from named composers, but many, including these, are anonymous. Verse 4 was composed by Johannes Touront (fl. 1450-1480), a relatively obscure Franco-Flemish composer.
Here is an English translation of the Latin text:
Sing, my tongue, the Saviour’s glory,
Of His Flesh, the mystery sing;
Of the Blood, all price exceeding,
Shed by our Immortal King,
Destined, for the world’s redemption,
From a noble Womb to spring.
Of a pure and spotless Virgin
Born for us on earth below,
He, as Man, with man conversing,
Stayed, the seeds of truth to sow;
Then He closed in solemn order
Wondrously His Life of woe.
On the night of that Last Supper,
Seated with His chosen band,
He, the Paschal Victim eating,
First fulfils the Law’s command;
Then as Food to all his brethren
Gives Himself with His own Hand.
Word-made-Flesh, the bread of nature
By His Word to Flesh He turns;
Wine into His Blood He changes:
What though sense no change discerns.
Only be the heart in earnest,
Faith her lesson quickly learns.
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,
When the feeble senses fail.
To the Everlasting Father
And the Son who comes on high
With the Holy Ghost proceeding
Forth from each eternally,
Be salvation, honor, blessing,
Might and endless majesty.
Amen. Alleluia.
