"Tantum ergo" is the incipit of the last two verses of Pange lingua, a Medieval Latin hymn generally attributed to St Thomas Aquinas c. 1264, but based by Aquinas upon various earlier fragments. The "Genitori genitoque" and "Procedenti ab utroque" portions are adapted from Adam of Saint Victor's sequence for Pentecost. The hymn's Latin incipit literally translates to "Therefore so great".
The singing of the Tantum ergo occurs during veneration and benediction of the Blessed Sacrament in the Catholic Church and other denominations that have this devotion. It is usually sung, though solemn recitation is sometimes done, and permitted.
Tantum ergo lyrics
Latin
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|Tantum ergo sacramentumVeneremur cernui,et antiquum documentumnovo cedat ritui.Præstet fides supplementumsensuum defectui. |- |Genitori genitoquelaus et jubilatio,Salus, honor, virtus quoquesit et benedictio!Procedenti ab utroquecompar sit laudatio!Amen. |}
℣. Panem de cælis præstitisti eis (in Paschaltide and on Corpus Christi, 'Alleluia' is added). ℟. Omne delectamentum in se habentem[Wis 16:20] (in Paschaltide and on Corpus Christi, 'Alleluia' is added).
℣. Oremus: Deus, qui nobis sub sacramento mirabili passionis tuæ memoriam reliquisti: tribue, quæsumus, ita nos corporis et sanguinis tui sacra mysteria venerari, ut redemptionis tuæ fructum in nobis jugiter sentiamus. Qui vivis et regnas in saecula saeculorum.
℟. Amen.
Literal translation
Therefore, so great a Sacrament
Let us venerate with heads bowed [cernui]
And let the old practice [documentum]
Give way to the new rite; Let faith provide a supplement For the failure of the senses.
To the Begetter and the Begotten [both masculine gender], Be praise and jubilation, Hail, honour, virtue also, And blessing too: To the One proceeding from Both Let there be equal praise.
Amen.
℣. You have provided them bread from heaven. ℟. Having in itself [in se] all delight [delectamentum].
℣. Let us pray: O God, who to us in this wonderful Sacrament, bequeathed a memorial of Your Passion: grant, we beseech, that we, in worshipping [venerari; in addition to simple worship, may also mean worshipping in order to receive favour] the Holy Mysteries of Your Body and Blood, may within ourselves continually [iugiter], sensibly perceive [sentiamus] the fruit of Your redemption. You who live and reign into ages of ages.
℟. Amen.
English translation
A century-old translation, still used in Catholic churches liturgically, renders the hymn in a form which can be sung to the same tune as the Latin:
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.
Amen.
℣. Thou hast given them bread from heaven. ℟. Having within it all sweetness.
℣. Let us pray: O God, who in this wonderful Sacrament left us a memorial of Thy Passion: grant, we implore Thee, that we may so venerate the Sacred Mysteries of Thy Body and Blood, as always to be conscious of the fruit of Thy Redemption. Thou who livest and reignest forever and ever.
℟. Amen.
Other, more modern, English translations exist and are also used in Catholic churches liturgically.
Theological aspects
The words "procedenti ab utroque / compar sit laudatio"—literally, "May equal praise be to the One proceeding from both"—refer to the Holy Spirit, which according to version of the Nicene Creed used in Western Christianity proceeds from both the Father and the Son.
A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who devoutly recite the Tantum ergo. But a plenary indulgence is granted on Holy Thursday and on the feast of Corpus Christi, if it is recited in a solemn manner.
Musical settings
The basic text has been set by numerous composers: from the Classical period John Francis Wade, the Renaissance (Palestrina), the Romantic period (Anton Bruckner, Hector Berlioz (H142), Gabriel Fauré, Franz Schubert, Louis Vierne), and modern composers (Maurice Duruflé, David Conte).
Déodat de Séverac composed a motet set to the text.