CPWI Hymnal ‎#824

824. Blessed feasts of blessed Martyrs

1 Blessèd feasts of blessèd martyrs,
holy days of holy men,
with affection’s recollections
greet we your return again.

2 Worthy deeds they wrought and wonders,
worthy of the name they bore;
we with meetest praise and sweetest
honour them for evermore.

3 Faith prevailing, hope unfailing,
Jesus loved with single heart –
thus they glorious and victorious
bravely bore the Martyr’s part.

4 Racked with torture, haled to slaughter,
fire, and axe, and murderous sword,
chains and prison, foes' derision
they endured for Christ the Lord.

5 So they passed through pain and sorrow,
till they sank in death to rest;
earth’s rejected, God's elected,
gained a portion with the blest.

6 By contempt of worldly pleasures,
and by deeds of valour done,
they have reached the land of angels,
and with them are knit in one.

7 Made co-heirs with Christ in glory,
his celestial bliss they share:
may they now before him bending
help us onward by their prayer;

8 that, this weary life completed,
and its fleeting trials past,
we may win eternal glory
in our Father’s home at last.

Text Information

• First Line: Blessed feasts of blessed Martyrs
• Latin Title: O beata beatorum
• Author: Anonymous
• Translator: John Mason Neale, 1818-1866
• Meter: 8.7.8.7
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 2010
• Topic: Saints' and Other Holy Days: For Any Saint
• Source: 12th century, Latin; Other translators: Editors of Hymns Ancient and Modern, alt.

Tune Information

• Name: LANGDALE (REDHEAD)
• Composer: Richard Redhead, 1820-1901
• Meter: 8.7.8.7
• Key: E Major