Thomas Aquinas: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

Feast of Corpus Christi

Thomas Aquinas

“Feast of Corpus Christi” as printed in A First Series of Hymns and Songs (1853).

Thomas Aquinas: Collected Lyrics Text 1 1853 · historical text
Public domainHymnSacred song
Complete public-domain lyrics

This text comes from A First Series of Hymns and Songs, a historical songbook transcribed on Wikisource and reproduced from the pinned revision linked below.

Verse 1

Sing, my tongue, the Saviour's glory,

Of his flesh the mystery sing;

Of the blood, all price exceeding,

Shed by our immortal King;

Destin'd, for the world's redemption,

From a noble womb to spring.

Verse 2

Of a pure and spotless Virgin

Born for us on earth below,

He, as man with man conversing,

Stay'd the seeds of truth to sow;

Then he clos'd in solemn order

Wondrously his life of woe.

Verse 3

On the night of that last supper,

Seated with his chosen band.

He, the Paschal victim eating,

First fulfils the law's command;

Then, as food to all his brethren,

Gives himself with his own hand.

Verse 4

By his word to flesh he turns,

Wine into his blood he changes:

What though sense no change discerns?

Only be the heart in earnest,

Faith her lesson quickly learns.

Verse 5

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.

Verse 6

To the everlasting Father,

And the Son who reigns on high,

With the Holy Ghost proceeding

Forth from each, eternally,

Be salvation, honour, blessing,

Might, and endless majesty.

Credits

Written by Thomas Aquinas

Words by Thomas Aquinas. Historical text published in A First Series of Hymns and Songs (1853); public domain. No claim to a modern recording or arrangement.

Source & text edition

A First Series of Hymns and Songs (1853), “Feast of Corpus Christi”

Every text in this 1853 collection is by Henry Formby (1816-1884), who died more than 140 years ago, so the text is in the public domain worldwide; the edition carries a Wikisource PD-old determination.

How to read this historical text and its source

Read the source on Wikisource

View copyright evidence · Transcription terms (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Retrieved 2026-10-26. Line spacing and section labels are adapted for reading. The displayed text follows the linked edition. Editorial notes and abstract artwork are by 52lyrics.
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