Tantum Ergo

Down in adoration falling,
Lo! the sacred Host we hail;
Lo! o’er ancient forms departing,
Newer rites of grace prevail;
Faith for all defects supplying,
Where the feeble senses fail.
To the everlasting Father,
And the Son who reigns on high,
With the Holy Spirit proceeding Forth from each eternally,
Be salvation, honor, blessing, Might and endless majesty.
Amen.

V. You have given them bread from heaven,

R. Having all delight within it. Let us pray. O God, who in this wonderful Sacrament left us a memorial of your Passion: grant, we implore you, that we may so venerate the sacred mysteries of your Body and Blood, as always to be conscious of the fruit of your Redemption. You who live and reign forever and ever. Amen.
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Meaning/Translation

The hymn’s Latin incipit literally translates to “Therefore so great”. The singing of the Tantum ergo occurs during veneration and benediction of the Blessed Sacrament in the Catholic Church and other denominations that have this devotion.

Tantum ergo Sacramentum (Latin)

Tantum ergo Sacramentum Veneremur cernui:
Et antiquum documentum Novo cedat ritui: Præstet fides supplementum Sensuum defectui. Genitori, Genitoque Laus et iubilatio, Salus, honor, virtus quoque Sit et benedictio: Procedenti ab utroque Compar sit laudatio. Amen.

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Let us therefore, bowing low, Venerate so great a Sacrament; And let the old law give way to the new rite; Let faith afford assistance to the deficiency of the senses. To the Begetter and the Begotten let there be praise and jubilation, Salvation and honor, and power and blessing; And to the One proceeding from both Let there be equal praise.