Gloria Patri - New Version

For those unfamiliar with this ancient hymn of thc Church, the Gloria Patri is Latin for "Glory to the Father." It's a short doxology (from the Greek, meaning "words of praise") that dates back to the 400s, maybe 300s.

The following text in Latin has been chanted at the end of various psalms and canticles by monastic orders for centuries.

Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto,

Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper,

et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

Translated: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and always, and forever and ever. Amen.

Most English adaptations include the phrase "world without end," meaning God's triune nature continues for eternity. Here's what we typically sing in our church.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost;

as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be,

world without end. Amen.

(Ghost being the King James or older English word for Spirit. Not a ghost in the modern sense, but the Spirit of God.)

A year or so ago, I wrote a melody and adapted the Gloria Patri to a new setting. We sing it, usually once a month when we celebrate Communion (also called the Lord's Supper or the Eucharist).

Here's my version on YouTube: 

Feel free to use this in your church or choir or wherever you feel it might fit in your private or community worship. And may God bless you today, this week, and this Advent and Christmas season.