We Praise Thee, O God (4th cent.) | Saint Michael Choir School Combined Choirs | Toronto, Ontario | 30 Sept 2016
  • 3 years ago
SMCS students wearing the maroon blazers are in the elementary school, and students wearing the navy blazers are in the secondary school. The motto of SMCS is, “Bis orat qui cantat.” (He who sings prays twice.) The formal name of SMCS is: Schola Cantorum Sancti Michæle Archangelo.

The SMCS academic program includes instruction in physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, music, business, geography, French, piano, organ, phys. ed., English, history, religion, voice, and general science. The extracurricular program at SMCS includes options for volleyball, tennis, swimming, cross-country, soccer, flag football, Eco Club, W5H, chess club, and social justice committee. The choral music program at SMCS includes daily choral instruction as well as weekly Mass duties at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Michael the Archangel. There are four choirs at the school: Elementary (grades 3–4), Junior (grades 5–6), Senior (grades 7–12) and Tenor-Bass (grades 7–12, changed voices). Each choir has Mass duties, but the Elementary Choir, as a training choir, sings only a handful of Masses every year. All choirs participate in the 3 major annual concerts, but only the Junior, Senior and Tenor-Bass choirs tour with the school. SMCS tours frequently within Canada and abroad having performed in Quebec, Nova Scotia, the Czech Republic, the U.S.A., Federal Republic of Germany, Italy, and the Vatican.

We praise Thee, O God (4th century – anonymous)
Tune: Te Deum Laudamus
Composer (Verses 1-13): Thomas Attwood (1765-1838)
Composer (Verses 14-21): Matthew Camidge (1758-1844)
Composer (Verses 22-29): Rev. William H. Havergal (1793-1870)

1 We praise Thee, O God: we acknowledge Thee to be the Lord.
2 All the earth doth worship Thee: the Father everlasting.
3 To Thee all angels cry aloud, the Heavens, and all the Powers therein;
4 To Thee Cherubim and Seraphim: continually do cry,
5 Holy, Holy, Holy: Lord God of Sabaoth;
6 Heaven and earth are full of the Majesty: of Thy glory.
7 The glorious company of the Apostles: praise Thee.
8 The goodly fellowship of the Prophets: praise Thee.
9 The noble army of Martyrs: praise Thee.
10 The holy Church throughout all the world: doth acknowledge Thee;
11 The Father of an infinite Majesty;
12 Thine adorable, true: and only Son;
13 Also the Holy Ghost: the Comforter.
14 Thou art the King of Glory: O Christ.
15 Thou art the everlasting Son: of the Father.
16 When Thou tookest upon Thee to deliver man: Thou didst humble Thyself to be born of a Virgin.
17 When Thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death: Thou didst open the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers.
18 Thou sittest at the right hand of God: in the glory of the Father.
19 We believe that Thou shalt come: to be our Judge.
20 We therefore pray Thee, help Thy servants: whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy precious Blood.
21 Make them to be numbered with Thy Saints: in glory everlasting.
22 O Lord, save Thy people: and bless Thine heritage.
23 Govern them: and lift them up forever.