One reason I love being an Anglican...

...is that we haven't done away with the magnificent ancient hymnody which is so full of meaning. Here is an excerpt from a CD beautifully done by a small Anglican school run by one of Brad's friends. This excerpt is the Te Deum which is from the 4th or 5th century. Aren't the words amazing? Contrast them with this contemporary worship song which was popular a few years ago.

Te Deum
We praise Thee, O God:
we acknowledge Thee to be the Lord.
All the earth doth worship Thee:
the Father everlasting.

To Thee all Angels cry aloud:
the heavens and all the powers therein.
To Thee Cherubin and Seraphin:
continually do cry,
Holy, Holy, Holy:
Lord God of Sabaoth;
Heaven and earth are full
of the Majesty: of Thy glory.

The glorious company of the Apostles: praise Thee.
The goodly fellowship of the Prophets: praise Thee.
The noble army of Martyrs: praise Thee.

The holy Church throughout all the
world: doth acknowledge Thee;
The Father: of an infinite majesty;
Thine honourable, true: and only Son;
Also the Holy Ghost: the Comforter.

Thou art the King of glory: O Christ.
Thou art the everlasting Son: of the Father.

When thou tookest upon Thee to deliver man
Thou didst not abhor the Virgin's womb.

When Thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death:
Thou didst open the kingdom of heaven to all believers.

Thou sittest at the right hand of God:
in the glory of the Father.

We believe that Thou shalt come: to be our Judge.

We therefore pray Thee, help Thy servants:
whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy precious blood.

Make them to be numbered with Thy Saints:
in glory everlasting.

O Lord, save Thy people:
and bless Thine heritage.
Govern them:
and lift them up for ever.

Day by day: we magnify Thee;
And we worship Thy Name:
ever world without end.

Vouchsafe, O Lord:
to keep us this day without sin.
O Lord, have mercy upon us:
have mercy upon us.

O Lord, let Thy mercy lighten upon us:
as our trust is in Thee.
O Lord, in Thee have I trusted:
let me never be confounded.