Te Deum laudamus

Te Deum is also sometimes called the Ambrosian Hymn because of its association with St. Ambrose. First attributed to Sts. Ambrose, Augustine, or Hilary, it is now accredited to Nicetas, Bishop of Remesiana (c. 335 - c. 414). It is used at the conclusion of the Office of the Readings for the Liturgy of the Hours on Sundays outside Lent, daily during the Octaves of Christmas and Easter, and on Solemnities and Feast Days. The petitions at the end were added at a later time and are optional. A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who recite it in thanksgiving and a plenary indulgence is granted if the hymn is recited publicly on the last day of the year. [From Te Deum.]

The Te Deum was one of only 2 hymns (along with Veni Creator Spiritus) which was incluced in the Anglican Service by Thomas Cranmer in 1549. The Te Deum laudamus is also included as one of the Greater Canticles and is traditionally used in the Anglican service at Evening Prayer (Evensong).

There are over twenty-five metrical versions of the Te Deum translated into English. These include two versions used in American Catholic hymnals, including "Thee, Sovereign God, our grateful accents praise" (Dryden) and "Holy God, we praise Thy Name" (Walworth). There are also six English versions based on Luther's free German translation. Other German versions include, "Grosser Gott, wir loben dich." [From the Catholic Encyclopedia.]

Unlike the Gloria (the Greater Gloria), the Te Deum is rarely sung congregationally but is often sung on festival occasions in concert version by the choir. These include settings by Ralph Vaughan Williams, Benjamin Brittin, John Rutter, and others.

See Te Deum laudamus [The Catholic Encyclopedia].

See Te Deum [from CanticaNova.com]. This is a synopsis based on the article from the Catholic Encyclopedia.

See Te Deum for a comparison of the Latin with an English translation. Also included is an English metrical version written by Fr. Clarence Alphonsus Walworth (1820-1900).

A question for you to consider: What is a good argument that the Te Deum was not written by either Ambrose or Hilary? (See answer below.)

We praise Thee, O God: we acknowledge Thee to be the Lord.
All the earth doth worship Thee and the Father everlasting.
To Thee all Angels: to Thee the heavens and all the Powers therein.
To Thee the Cherubim and Seraphim: cry with unceasing voice:
Holy, Holy, Holy: Lord God of Hosts.
The heavens and the earth are full: of the majesty of Thy glory.
Thee the glorious choir: of the Apostles.
Thee the admirable company: of the Prophets.
Thee the white-robed army of Martyrs: praise.
Thee the Holy Church throughout all the world: doth acknowledge.
The Father of infinite Majesty.
Thine adorable, true: and only Son
Also the Holy Ghost: the Paraclete.
Thou art the King of Glory: O Christ.
Thou art the everlasting Son: of the Father.
Thou having taken upon Thee to deliver man: didst not abhor the Virgin's womb.
Thou having overcome the sting of death: didst open to believers the kingdom of heaven.
Thou sittest at the right hand of God: in the glory of the Father.
We believe that Thou shalt come: to be our Judge.
We beseech Thee, therefore, help Thy servants: whom Thou has redeemed with Thy precious Blood.
Make them to be numbered with Thy Saints: in glory everlasting.
Lord, save Thy people: and bless Thine inheritance.
Govern them: and lift them up forever.
Day by day: we bless Thee.
And we praise Thy name forever: and world without end.
Vouchsafe, O Lord, this day: to keep us without sin.
Have mercy on us, O Lord: have mercy on us.
Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us: as we have hoped in Thee.
O Lord, in Thee have I hoped: let me never be confounded.

Answer: The Te Deum is in rhythmical prose. Both Ambrose and Hilary wrote hymns in classical meter. Consequently, the Te Deum was probably not written by either. [From the Catholic Encyclopedia.]

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