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Words: Venantius Fortunatus (530-609)
translated by Augustus Nelson Music: Anthony D. Moore (2010) Praise the Savior now and ever; Praise Him, all beneath the skies; Prostrate lying, suff'ring, dying On the cross, a sacrifice. Vict'ry gaining, life obtaining, Now in glory He doth rise. Man's work faileth, Christ's availeth; He is all our righteousness; He, our Savior, has forever Set us free from dire distress. Through His merit we inherit Light and peace and happiness. Sin's bonds severed, we're delivered, Christ has bruised the serpent's head; Death no longer is the stronger, Hell itself is captive led. Christ has risen from death's prison, O'er the tomb He light has shed. For His favor, praise forever, Unto God the Father sing; Praise the Savior, praise Him ever, Son of God, our Lord and King. Praise the Spirit, through Christ's merit, He doth us salvation bring. |
Venantius Fortunatus was a poet and bishop of the early Catholic Church. His poem Pange Lingua Gloriosi Proellium Certaminis ("Sing, O tongue, of the glorious struggle") became part of the liturgy of the catholic church and inspired Thomas Aquinas in the 13 th centurey to write his Pange Lingua Gloriosi Corporis Mysterium ("Of the glorious body telling').
The english text is more of a protestant adaptation than a literal translation of the Fortunatus hymn. |