All Glory Laud and Honor

All glory, laud, and honor to you, Redeemer, King,
to whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring!

You are the King of Israel, and David's royal Son,
Now in the Lord's name coming, the King and blessed One!

The company of angels are praising you on High
Creation and all mortals in chorus make reply.

The multitude of pilgrims with palms before you went
Our praise and prayer and anthems before thee we present.

To you, before your passion, they sang their hymns of praise,
To you now high exalted, our melody we raise.

Their praises you accepted; accept the prayers we bring,
Great Author of all goodness, O good and gracious King!

All glory, laud, and honor to you, Redeemer, King,
To whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring!

For me, it's not Palm Sunday (Or on our church calendar - the Sunday of the Passion) until we sing this ancient hymn. It was written by Theodolph, Bishop of Orleans while he was imprisoned around 820. He had been accused of plotting against against Louis I the Pious (who was anything but pious) who became emperor after Charlemagne.

Legend has it that Louis was visiting the area and heard the bishop singing this song to himself in prison and was so moved that he released Theodolph.

The composer of the tune "St. Theodolph" was Melchio Teschner, a Lutheran pastor. He wrote this tune for another text in 1611. Bach later used the tune for his St. John Passion.