Thee prostrate I adore
(Adoro Te devote)

St. Thomas Aquinas
Translated by Father Aylward, O. P.
Nicola A. Montani

Moderato devoto

1.
Thee prostrate I adore, The Deity that lies
Beneath these humble veils, Concealed from human eyes; My heart doth wholly yield, Subjected to Thy sway,
For contemplating Thee it wholly faints away.

Chorus
Hail, Jesus, hail; do Thou, Good Shepherd of the sheep, Increase in all true hearts the faith they fondly keep.

2.
The sight, the touch, the taste, In Thee are here deceived; But by the ear alone this truth is safe believed;
I hold whate'er the Son of God hath said to me;
Than this blest word of truth no word can truer be,

3.
I see not with mine eyes, Thy Wounds, as Thomas saw; Yet own Thee for my God with equal love and awe;
Oh grant me, that my faith may ever firmer be,
That all my hope and love may still repose in Thee.

4.
Memorial sweet, that shows the death of my dear Lord; Thou living bread, that life dost unto man afford;
Oh grant, that this my soul may ever live on Thee,
That Thou mayst evermore its only sweetness be.

Copyright 1920 by N. A. M.
Page 73-74