1. Holy God, we praise Thy name; Lord of all, we bow before Thee; All on earth Thy scepter claim, All in heaven above adore Thee: Infinite Thy vast domain, Everlasting is thy Reign. 2. Hark, the glad celestial hymn Angel choirs above are raising; Cherubim and seraphim, In unceasing chorus praising; Fill the heavens with sweet accord: Holy, holy, holy Lord. 3. Holy Father, holy Son, Holy Spirit: three we name Thee, Though in essence only one; Undivided God we claim Thee, And adoring, bend the knee While we sing our praise to Thee.
Lyrics: Atributed to Ignaz Franz; based on "Te Deum"
Music: "Katholisches Gesangbuch", Vienna, c. 1774
Tune: GROSSER GOTT
Meter: 7.8.7.8.7.7.
From the Te Deum, c. 4th century, Attributed to Ignace Franz,
1719–1790
English Translation by Clarence Walworth, 1820–1900
The original setting of “Te Deum Laudamus” was likely composed by Bishop Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, Italy, in a.d. 387, and an important leader in the development of early church music. Paraphrases of this fourth century “Te Deum” have been written in many languages, including this text in German, from which it was later translated into English by an American Catholic priest, Clarence A. Walworth.