Hymns of the Eastern Church (5th ed.) ‎#143

143. The Holy Children Boldly Stand

The Holy Children boldly stand
Against the tyrant’s fierce command:
The kindled furnace they defy,—
No doom can shake their constancy:
They in the midmost flame confessed,
“GOD of our Fathers! Thou art blest!”

The Shepherds keep their flocks by night;
The Heav’n glows out with wondrous light;
The glory of the LORD is there,
The Angel-bands their King declare:
The watchers of the night confessed,
“GOD of our Fathers! Thou art blest!”

The Angel ceased; and suddenly
Seraphic legions filled the sky:
“Glory to GOD,” they cry again:
“Peace upon earth, good will to men:
“CHRIST comes!”—And they that heard confessed,
“GOD of our Fathers! Thou art blest!”

What said the Shepherds?—“Let us turn
This new-born miracle to learn.”
To Bethlehem’s gate their footsteps drew:
The Mother with the Child they view:
They knelt and worshipped, and confessed,
“GOD of our Fathers! Thou art blest!”

Text Information

• First Line: The Holy Children Boldly Stand
• Title: The Holy Children Boldly Stand
• Translator: John Mason Neale (1862)
• Author: Cosmas, the Melodist (760)
• Meter: 8,8,8,8,8,8
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1866

Tune Information

(No tune information)