Adoro te devote (by Gerald Near)

from Saint Augustine’s Organbook by Gerald Near

Background

This work is a prelude with four variations on the Gregorian chant "Adoro Te Devote" (Humbly we adore Thee).

The English translation for this Eucharist hymn is:

Hidden God, devoutly I adore Thee,
Truly present underneath these veils:
All my heart subdues itself before Thee,
Since it all before Thee faints and fails.

Not to sight, or taste, or touch be credit,
Hearing only do we trust secure;
I believe, for God the Son hath said it–
Word of Truth that ever shall endure.

On the Cross was veiled Thy Godhead's splendor,
Here Thy manhood lieth hidden too;
Unto both alike my faith I render,
And, as sued the contrite thief, I sue.

Though I look not on Thy wounds with Thomas,
Thee, my Lord, and Thee, my God, I call:
Make me more and more believe Thy promise,
Hope in Thee, and love Thee over all.

O Memorial of my Saviour dying,
Living Bread that givest life to man;
May my soul, its life from Thee supplying,
Taste Thy sweetness, as on earth it can.

Deign, O Jesus, pelican* of heaven,
Me, a sinner, in Thy Blood to lave,
To a single drop of which is given
All the world from all its sin to save.

Contemplating Lord, Thy hidden presence,
Grant me what I thirst for and implore,
In the revelation of Thine essence
To behold Thy glory evermore.

For a poetic translation of the text see the Wikipedia page Adoro te devote.

Registration and Organs

Prelude: mp passages = Manuals - flutes 8' and 4'; Pedal - flue stops 16' and 8'

Fingering and Pedaling

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Articulation and Phrasing

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Ornamentation

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Tempo and Meter

These variations are intended to be played in alternatum style between the singing of various stanzas of the hymn, during Communion. Do not attempt to play the variations as the same tempo the hymn is sung. Rather, follow the metronome markings indicated for each variation.

Prelude: dotted quarter note = c. 44 Variation I: eighth note = c. 86 Variation II: quarter note = c. 54 Variation III: quarter note = c. 63 Variation IV: eighth note = c. 80

Scores and Editions

The Service Playing exam requires the use of Aureole Edition, AE 86, distributed by MorningStar Music.

Recordings

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Free Online

Adoro Te Devote (Humbly We Adore Thee) by Gerald Near, performed by Brad Cunningham

Pay to Listen

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Other Resources

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Notes

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