F YOU WERE FORCED TO SIT DOWN and take an examination—from memory only—do you think you could write out a literal translation of the “Tantum Ergo,” which you have undoubtedly sung zillions of times for Benediction? If not, download this:
* * PDF • TANTUM ERGO (Congregational)
If you have a really good organist—one who doesn’t hit wrong notes and doesn’t slow down the tempo when they struggle with the pedals—give them this accompaniment:
* * PDF • TANTUM ERGO (Organ Accompaniment)
If your organist is still learning, consider the version found in the ORGAN EDITION of the Saint Edmund Campion Hymnal:
* * PDF • TANTUM ERGO (Campion Hymnal, Organist Edition)
Here are nine (9) more versions, but be careful—the melodies don’t always match perfectly the version found in the Campion Hymnal:
* * PDF • TANTUM ERGO (Nine More Versions)
Look how Fr. Adrian Fortescue (d. 1923) presents this beautiful hymn, and notice how he prefers “u” instead of “v” in Latin:
* * PDF • TANTUM ERGO (Rev. Fortescue)
If you haven’t seen the way BENEDICTION is presented in the Jogues Illuminated Missal, I would encourage you to do so. It’s gorgeous, and includes both Latin & English.
