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Here is my translation, arrangement and performance of the wonderful Pange Lingua by Saint Thomas Aquinas in Old English, in honour of Holy Week. I’ve done what I can to preserve the meaning, rhyming signature and the cadence of the original, but naturally there are some compromises as with any translation. I hope you enjoy, and may you all have a blessed Easter. Sing be rūne, mīn tunge, þæs þrymlīċan Līchaman and lēofan Blōdes, ēawunge, þe for worolde wann ealra þēoda Hēahþungen, þe of wifawynne wearð Mann. Sing of the mystery, my tongue, of the glorious Body and precious Blood, openly, which for the world toiled the One Exalted by all nations who from the Joy of Women (Mary) became Man. Ūs ġeġefen, ūs ġeboren of þām ælclǣnan Mǣdene On worolde, Gode ġecoren, Hē būde mid fērrǣdene ǣr Hē wæs fēondum begroren and gāst ofġeaf gladiende. To us given, to us born of the All-Pure Virgin. In the world, Chosen by God He lived in fellowship ere he was overwhelmed by fiends and gave up His spirit brilliantly. Æt His ǣfengereorde healdende þā ǣw hāliġan He sæt mid his heorde and ǣt þā metas rihtan. And þām twelfum ġeald meorde: Hine sylfne, mid His handan. At His supper, keeping the sacred law He sat with his flock and ate the prescribed foods. And to the twelve paid reward: Himself, with His hand. And þæt Word wæs flǣsċ ġeworden, swā Hē hlāf tō flǣsċe dyde, And wīn dyde tō His Blōde. And ġif mannes witt ne dyġe tō trymmenne heortan twēode þā ġelēafa blissaþ hyġe. And the Word was made Flesh, just as He turned bread to Flesh and turned wine to His Blood. And if man’s wit alone does not avail to strengthen doubted hearts, then faith gladdens the mind. Forþām tō þām Hūsle scīnendan uton feallan āstrehte. Sē ealda trēowa, wīcende, is ġedōn tō Nīwum Rihte. Mannes witt waniende holpen is fram lēafan mihte. Therefore, before the brilliant Sacrament, let us fall prostrate. The old covenant, giving way, is made a New Rite. Man’s wit waning is aided by the power of faith. Þām Cennende and þām Cennedan wuldor and wynn sīen, grēting, ār, strengþu and bletsung and þanc ġīen. Him þe cymþ of Fæder and Suna efenlofu ēac sīen. Amen. To the Begetter and the Begotten be praise and joy, greeting, honour, strength and blessing and thanks also. To Him Who proceeds from Father and Son be equal praises too. Amen. Follow me on Spotify (The Skaldic Bard): If you'd like to support my work, you can do so here: Thank you for your kindness. Please do not redistribute my work without permission. Feel free to email me with any inquiries!
