Te Deum laudamus
(You are God)
an anthem for SATB choir, soloists (SATB) and organ
by
Dan Locklair
Anonymously commissioned to honor the 6 October 1997 birthday of musician Robert Brewer of Houston, Texas, my Te Deum laudamus (You are God) was completed on 26 May 1997 (Memorial Day) in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Rooted in early Latin hymnody, the words to Te Deum laudamus are among the most important to the Christian church throughout the world. Martin Luther saw the Te Deum as equal in importance to both the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed. Several English versions of this text have existed and been set to music over the years. The one that I have used in my Te Deum laudamus is a contemporary one that appears in Daily Morning Prayer: Rite Two, The Book of Common Prayer (1979) of The Episcopal Church. The complete text appears below.
Duration : ca. 7′ 30″
Dan Locklair
Winston-Salem, NC
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Te Deum laudamus
(You are God)
You are God: we praise you;
You are the Lord: we acclaim you;
You are the eternal Father:
All creation worships you.
To you all angels, all the powers of heaven,
Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
The glorious company of apostles praise you.
The noble fellowship of prophets praise you.
The white-robed army of martyrs praise you.
Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you;
Father, of majesty unbounded,
your true and only Son, worthy of all worship,
and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.
You, Christ, are the king of glory,
the eternal Son of the Father.
When you became man to set us free
you did not shun the Virgin’s womb.
You overcame the sting of death
and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.
You are seated at God’s right hand in glory.
We believe that you will come and be our judge.
Come then, Lord, and help your people,
bought with the price of your own blood,
and bring us with your saints
to glory everlasting.