Thomas Byron Parks
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Holy God We Praise Thy Name
~ A Paraphrase of The "Te Deum Laudamus" ~
~ A Hymn in English for A Cappella SATB ~
~ The Cantus Firmus could be sung by the Congregation ~
Music © 2008 Thomas Byron Parks
"Creation"
by Michelangelo on
Sistine Chapel ceiling in the Vatican Rome
This paraphrase of the Te Deum Laudamus,
is attributed
to Ignaz Franz, in
Maria
Theresa’s Katholisches Gesangbuch.
(Vienna: circa 1774) It was translated from German to
English by Fr. Clarence Alphonse
Walworth,
(1820-1900) who was pastor at historic St. Mary's on Capitol Hill in
Albany, NY. Verse 7, is by Hugh
T. Henry (1862-1946).
Ignaz Franz (Please Contact me if you have a picture of Fr.
Walworth I can use here.)
Before you listen, you should
know that the melody I wrote,
like
most Western Music, is
based on Gregorian Chant. In each of 8 verses there are 3 fixed melody
lines or Cantus Firmus (CF) assigned to either Soprano,
Alto, Tenor, or Bass...with the other voices singing the counterpoint.
Thus, the CF shines through, and could be sung by a congregation, but
leaves room for variation by soloists, the choir, or alternating
choirs.
Substituting a dotted quarter plus an eigth note for 2 quarter notes
gives rythmic variation.
By staying with a cappella, I hope the lyrics are understandable. It wouldn't hurt to have the lyrics read and / or included in the program...or even have the Hymnal version sung as an opening hymn. It's No. 79 in the Methodist Hymnal. I think a congregation could learn to sing my cantus firmus. Last of all, I hope that singing and hearing this touches your heart and reinforces your faith. Writing it sure did mine.
Thomas Byron Parks
April 8, 200/ By staying with a cappella, I hope the lyrics are understandable. It wouldn't hurt to have the lyrics read and / or included in the program...or even have the Hymnal version sung as an opening hymn. It's No. 79 in the Methodist Hymnal. I think a congregation could learn to sing my cantus firmus. Last of all, I hope that singing and hearing this touches your heart and reinforces your faith. Writing it sure did mine.
a
Click here to view score as PDF
Click here to hear music as MP3
Listen with headphones if you can.
This has not been sung,, so instruments are used for voices. (MIDI String Ensemble 2 for SATB)
If you use it, please send me a recording that I may use on this site, and for seeking publication.
Listen with headphones if you can.
This has not been sung,, so instruments are used for voices. (MIDI String Ensemble 2 for SATB)
If you use it, please send me a recording that I may use on this site, and for seeking publication.
| Cantus Firmus Location: |
Holy God We
Praise thy Name ~ The Lyrics in English ~ |
1. B T TB |
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. S A SA |
HARK, the
loud celestial
hymnm,
angel choirs above are raising; Cherubim and Seraphim, in unceasing chorus praising, fill the heavens with sweet accord; Holy, Holy, Holy Lord! |
| 3. SATB |
LO, the
Apostolic
train. Join,
Thy sacred name to hallow: prophets swell the loud refrain, and the white-robed Martyrs follow; and, from morn till set of sun, through the Church the song goes on. |
| 4. B
SA B SA SATB |
HOLY
Father, Holy Son,
Holy
Spirit, Three we name Thee, While in essence only One, undivided God we claim Thee: and, adoring, bend the knee, while we own the mystery. |
| 5. S
TB S TB SATB |
THOU art
King of glory,
Christ:
Son of God, yet born of Mary; for us sinners sacrificed, and to death a tributary: first to break the bars of death, Thou has opened heaven to faith |
| 6. A
TB A TB SATB |
FROM Thy high
celestial
home,
Judge of all, again returning, we believe that Thou shalt come in the dreaded Doomsday morning; when Thy voice shall shake the earth, and the startled dead come forth. |
| 7. T
SA T SA SATB |
THEREFORE do we
pray
Thee, Lord:
help Thy servants whom, redeeming, by Thy Precious Blood out-poured, Thou hast saved from Satan's scheming. Give to them eternal rest in the glory of the Blest. |
| 8. SATB |
SPARE
Thy people, Lord,
we pray,
by a thousand snares surrounded: keep us without sin today, never let us be confounded. Lo, I put my trust in Thee; never, Lord, abandon me. |
The Te Deum Laudamus, also sometimes called the Ambrosian Hymn because if its association with St. Ambrose, is a traditional hymn of joy and thanksgiving. First attributed to Sts. Ambrose, Augustine, or Hilary, it is now accredited to Nicetas, Bishop of Remesiana (4th century). There are about twenty-five metrical translations into English.
See Te Deum Laudamus