Now, My Tongue, the Mystery Telling
by Alan Smith
4-Part - Sheet Music

SATB choir, organ

SKU: C5.4210

Arranged by Alan Smith. Text: Saint Thomas Aquinas. A setting of the Aquinas text to the tune: Picardy. Eucharist. Octavo. Published by CanticaNOVA Publications (C5.4210).

Saint Thomas wrote his great Eucharistic hymn, Pange lingua gloriosi, for the newly-created feast of Corpus Christi - and that was back in the 13th century during the pontificate of Urban IV. Many translators have offered English versions of the poem, perhaps greatest among these are the churchmen, John Mason Neale and Edward Caswell. Their translations are use din this setting of the hymn tune, Picardy, which otherwise is sung with the common text, "Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence." The verses are set simply: 1. Unison mixed voices, p, light organ without pedal / 2. SATB, mp, a cappella / 3. Men's voices, mp, organ without pedal / 4. Unison mixed voices, mf, organ with pedal. If the congregation is familiar with this hymn tune, the CNP setting by Alan Smith will be a welcome addition to the choral repertoire, using a known tune with a different text. If the congregation doesn't know this beautiful French tune, this motet is a great way for the choir to introduce the melody, perhaps on the Sunday before they sing the hymn the first time.