Hymns and Devotions for Daily Worship ‎#43a

43a. Little Flowers of Martyrdom

1. Little flow'rs of martyrdom,
Whom the ruthless sword hath torn
On the threshold of the morn,
Rosebuds by the whirlwind shorn!

2. All regardless of their doom,
Now in paradise they lay;
Jesus’ tend’rest victims, they
With their crowns in Heaven play.

3. Tyrant! What avails their tomb?
He shall ’scape the bloody blade,
Which hath many childless made,
Infant born of mother-maid.

4. Thus the type of Him to come:
Savior of lost Jacob’s clan,
Moses fled the tyrant’s band,
Guarded by an angel’s hand.

5. Jesu, born of virgin’s womb,
Father, Spirit, One and Three,
Sing we glory unto thee,
Sing we everlastingly.

Text Information

• First Line: Little flow'rs of martyrdom
• Title: Little Flowers of Martyrdom
• Latin Title: Salvete flores martyrum
• Author: Venantius Fortunatus
• Translator: Isaac Williams (1839)
• Alterer: Chris Fenner (2024)
• Meter: 7.7.7.7
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 2024
• Scripture:
  Matthew 2:16
• Topic: Epiphany; Holy innocents
• Notes: Text by Venantius Fortunatus, “Salvete flores martyrum,” 6th cen., tr. by Isaac Williams in Hymns Translated from the Parisian Breviary (1839), alt. CF.

Tune Information

• Name: INNOCENTS
• Arranger: W.H. Monk (1850)
• Meter: 7.7.7.7
• Incipit: 34517 65
• Key: D Major
• Notes: Tune INNOCENTS by unknown composer, possibly based on an aria by G.F. Handel, arr. by W.H. Monk in The Parish Choir (1850).