INNOCENTS' DAY
The Venerable Bede, 673—735. Tr. J. M. Neale.
Hymnum canentes martyrum.
THE hymn for conquering Martyrs raise,
The victor Innocents we praise,
Whom in their woe earth cast away,
But heaven with joy received to-day;
Whose Angels see the Father’s face
World without end, and hymn his grace;
And, while they chant unceasing lays,
The hymn for conquering Martyrs raise.
2 A voice from Ramah was there sent,
A voice of weeping and lament,
When Rachel mourned the children’s care
Whom for the tyrant’s sword she bare.
Triumphal is their glory now,
Whom earthly torments could not bow,
What time, both far and near that went,
A voice from Ramah was there sent.
3 * Fear not, O little flock and blest,
The lion that your life opprest!
To heavenly pastures ever new still;
The heavenly Shepherd leadeth you;
Who, dwelling now on Sion’s bill,
The Lamb’s dear footsteps follow still;
By tyrant there no more distrest,
Fear not, O little flock and blest.
4 * And every tear is wiped away
By your dear Father’s hands for ay:
Death hath no power to hurt you more,
Whose own s life’s eternal store.
Who sow their seed, and sowing weep,
In everlasting joy shall reap,
What time they shine in heavenly day,
And every tear is wiped away.
5. O city blest o’er all the earth,
Who gloriest in the Saviours birth,
Whose are his earliest Martyrs dear,
By kindred and by triumph here;
None from henceforth may call thee small,
Of rival towns thou passest all:
In whom our Monarch had his birth,
O city blest o’er all the earth!
The following is also suitable: 611 When Christ was born.
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