Lyr Req: English for Panis Angelicus

Subject: Lyr Req: English for Panis Angelicus
From: A Celtic Harper
Date: 07 Aug 99 - 05:02 PM

Yes - the English translation I partially remember starts as follows:

(to the tune by Cesare Franck, 1870's or so)

O, Lord most merciful,

O, Lord most bountiful

O, Lord of Heaven and Earth

we come to thee in prayer

************************************

I've got a couple other complete versions, but not as gracefully rendered as the above. I've got a wedding client who wants this one at her ceremony, appreciate any help tendered!

Subject: Lyr Add: PANIS ANGELICUS
From: Joe Offer
Date: 07 Aug 99 - 05:22 PM

Hi, Celtic - I wouldn't call what you have a "translation." It's a different set of lyrics set to the tune of "Panis Angelicus." I found the translation below on the Web. It's close, but I wouldn't agree with all of it.
I think what you're working on will work better for a wedding, but I just wanted to make clear it ain't a translation. The original is the last two verses of a longer hymn written by St. Thomas Aquinas for the Feast of Corpus Christi (Body of Christ).
-Joe Offer-

Panis angelicus fit panis
hominum:
Dat panis coelicus figuris
terminum:
O res mirabilis, manducat
Dominum
Pauper, servus, et humilis.

(The Bread of Angels becomes
the Bread of men; The Bread from
heaven does away with figures: O
wondrous thing, the poor,
the servant, and the lowly
eat their Lord.)

Te trina Deitas unaque
poscimus,
Sic nos tu visita, sicut te
colimus:
Per tuas semitas duc nos
quo tendimus,
Ad lucem quam inhab-
itas.

(O God, one substance in
Three Persons, we beseech You,
come to visit us, as we adore You:
guide us on Your paths whither
we direct our course, to the light
wherein You do dwell.)

---

Subject: Lyr Add: THE VERY ANGELS' BREAD (PANIS ANGELICUS)
From: Alice
Date: 07 Aug 99 - 09:00 PM

Here is an English version of lyrics to Panis Angelicus from the St. Gregory's Hymnal.

THE VERY ANGELS' BREAD
tr. by Rt. Rev. Msgr H.T. Henry, Litt.D.

The ve-ry An-gels' Bread
Doth to men af-ford.
The types have van-ish-ed,
Re-mains the Truth a-dored.
O won-drous mys-ter-y
Their ban-quet is the Lord
The poor and low-ly, bond and free.

O God for-ev-er blest,
O Three in One, we pray,
Vis-it the long-ing breast
En-ter this house of clay,
And lead us through the Night
Un-to the per-fect Day
Where dwell-est Thou in end-less light.

alice in montana

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: English for Panis Angelicus
From: A Celtic Harper
Date: 07 Aug 99 - 09:20 PM

Thanks ever so much Joe, especially for your quick response! Just met with her tonight, she decided she'd prefer the song in Latin after all. Her family grew up singing it that way, it means a lot to her.

But, I think it's really important to have a good idea of what one is singing in another language, and the other English versions I had bore even less of a resemblance to the original. Your translation will help give the song a truer feeling. Thanks again! - Mari-Kat (A Celtic Harper)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: English for Panis Angelicus
From: Alice
Date: 07 Aug 99 - 09:40 PM

good choice in doing it in Latin, Celtic harper.

Subject: Latin Hymns
From: Joe Offer
Date: 07 Aug 99 - 10:39 PM

The hymn is profound and poetic in the original Latin, but the translations I've found sound clumsy and trite. In my search, I found that St. Thomas Aquinas wrote five hymns for the Feast of Corpus Christi. I knew four of the five, but I didn't make the connection until today. It's interesting what tangents a song search can lead you on.
I also came across a terrific Website (click here) that has the texts for many Latin prayers and hymns, and all sorts of interesting Latin links. I'm afraid the right-wingers have control of most of the Catholic newsgroups and Websites - they seem to have scared the moderates and liberals away. There's an aggressive, judgmental tone to many Catholic websites that really frightens me - that's not the kind of church I grew up in. Well, this Latin site is different. It's most likely operated by a conservative, but it's done well.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: English for Panis Angelicus
From: a choir director
Date: 08 Aug 99 - 07:39 AM

I have another set of lyrics for non-communion service. These words use the open vowels and is the one I learned when studying voice.

O Lord most holy,O Lord Most Mighty,
O Loving Father, Thee would we be praising alway,
Help us to know Thee, Know Thee and love Thee,
Father, Father, grant us Thy truth and grace.
Father, Father, guide and defend us.

Rule Thou our wilful hearts, Keep Thine our wandering thoughts
In all our sorrows, let us find our rest in Thee.
And in temptation's hour,
Save through Thy mighty power
Thine aid O send us,Hear us in mercy
Show us Thy favor,
So shall we live and sing praise to Thee

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: English for Panis Angelicus
From: Alice
Date: 13 Aug 99 - 12:45 PM

These are clumsy lyrics to try to sing, but I just noticed today that there is an English translation of Panis Angelicus in the CD notes to Charlotte Church's recording.

It's definitely better in Latin, but here is yet another translation.

Heavenly bread
That becomes the bread for all mankind,
Bread from the angelic host
That is the end of all imaginings.
Oh, miraculous thing!
This body of God will nourish
Even the poorest,
The most humble of servants.
Even the poorest,
The most humble of servants.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: English for Panis Angelicus
From: GUEST
Date: 03 May 04 - 07:28 PM

thank you so much for these english lyrics. I have been trying to sing along with my Charlotte Church recording in the car and could never get farther than O, Lord most holy.   I had learned this version years ago as a member of a church choir in my teen years.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: English for Panis Angelicus
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 03 May 04 - 07:46 PM

Joe, is it possible to update the link to the Latin site that you mentioned back in Nineteen and ninety-nine? Or has it bit the dust?

---

Same thought I had, Q. Apparently, it done bit the dust. Do take a look at The Lied and Art Song Texts Page which has texts and quality translations for a number of Latin hymns.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: English for Panis Angelicus
From: mg
Date: 03 May 04 - 08:03 PM

oh thank God she decided to do it in Latin. It is one of the most beautiful songs and the one time I heard it in English it was wretched, absolutely wretched. As bad as O Salutaris in English.

mg

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: English for Panis Angelicus
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 03 May 04 - 09:06 PM

"I'm afraid the right-wingers have control of most of the Catholic newsgroups and Websites"

There are exceptions - for example Pax Christi, and monastic sites such as this one.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: English for Panis Angelicus
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 29 May 04 - 02:03 PM

Has anyone mentioned that the beautiful music was written by Cesar Franck? He was organist and choirmaster at Sainte Clothilde in Paris. He later became known for his Symphony in D Minor and his sonatas and other classical music.

Here is an English version that fits the music (and closer to Protestant views):

Manna of Life from Heav'n
(author not cited)

Manna of life from heav'n
To needy man is giv'n,
Spirit from heav'n above
Transcending human love.
Let ev'ry heart incline,
Lord, to thy will resign,
Lowly, holy,
Humble and yet divine,
Lowly, holy,
Humble and yet divine.

The last lines, first verse in Latin differ slightly from Joe's post:

Panis angelicus
Fit panis hominum,
Dat panis coelicus
Figuris terminum;
O res mirabilis,
Manducat Dominum,
Pauper, Pauper,
Servus et humilis;
Pauper, pauper,
Servus et humilis.

From "Music Highways and Byways, 1936, Osbourne McConathy, J. W. Beattie, R. V. Morgan, pp. 196-200, with score. Silver Burdett Company, The Music Hour Series.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: English for Panis Angelicus
From: GUEST,Jill
Date: 05 Mar 19 - 10:19 AM

Although I see this thread is two decades old, I’d like to add something in case it might help another singer or lover of liturgical music.

About fifty years ago I learned the version Celtic Harper contributed but with a lyric at the bridge:

O Lord most guard and deliver us
Father, father hold us within thy prayer.
Father, father hold us within thy pray.


Then it returns to the verse Celtic Harper described.