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O! 'Tis no theme of common things

Author: Allen W. Chatfield; Synesius of Cyrene, Bishop of Ptolemais Appears in 2 hymnals Lyrics: O! 'Tis no theme of common things That wakes my ivory-fastened strings! To Thee, in solemn Dorian1919He uses the epithet Dorian in a general sense, to express that which is grave and sublime. strain, I lift my heart and voice amain, O blessèd, O Immortal One, The holy Virgin's glorious Son! But, O great King, save Thou my life From cares and woes and worldly strife, That from calamity all free Both night and day I may praise Thee. And to my mind mayst Thou convey From mind's own fount, a clear bright ray. 82 Unto my youth mayst Thou impart Soundness of limbs and manly heart: And may my deeds reflect Thy light In honour, truth, and glory bright. And on the ripeness of mine age Mayst Thou the wisdom of the sage Bestow, with health, the blessed mead Of harvest rich from well-sown seed. And on that darling son of mine May Thy preserving mercy shine, Whom, when just passing gate of death, Thou didst restore to vital breath. O Lord of life, 'twas Thou didst wrench From Death's firm grasp, his prey, and quench My burning grief in floods of joy; For Thou didst give me back my boy; And tears, O Father, Thou didst dry, In answer to Thy suppliant's cry! May son and daughter, much loved pair, Thy kind protection ever share, And all my house, in happy calm, Be sheltered by Thine hand from harm! And, O my Saviour King, bless Thou The partner of my wedded vow; 83 From sickness and from sorrow free, Faithful, one-minded, may she be, Preserved by Thee from thought of sin, All bright without, all pure within! Untouched by roving passions' tide, My honoured wife, my love, my pride! Loose Thou my soul from baneful chains Of worldly life, its cares and pains, And floods of dismal grief and woe, Which overwhelm this earth below. O! thus prepared may I be found With holy worshippers around To lead the choir, and chants to raise To Thy all-glorious Father's praise; And to Thy majesty, great King, Loud hymns again I hope to sing; Again in voice of praise Thy name To bless, Thy honours to proclaim; May be, my harp I shall again Tune all-unhurt to highest strain. Songs and Hymns of Earliest Greek Christian Poets, 1876

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O! 'Tis no theme of common things

Author: Allen W. Chatfield; Synesius Hymnal: Songs and Hymns of the Earliest Greek Christian Poets #8 (1876) Lyrics: O! 'Tis no theme of common things That wakes my ivory-fastened strings! To Thee, in solemn Dorian strain, I lift my heart and voice amain, O blessed, O Immortal One, The holy Virgin's glorious Son! But, O great King, save Thou my life From cares and woes and worldly strife, That from calamity all free Both night and day I may praise Thee. And to my mind mayst Thou convey From mind's own fount, a clear bright ray. Unto my youth mayst Thou impart Soundness of limbs and manly heart: And may my deeds reflect Thy light In honour, truth, and glory bright. And on the ripeness of mine age Mayst Thou the wisdom of the sage Bestow, with health, the blessed mead Of harvest rich from well-sown seed. And on that darling son of mine May Thy preserving mercy shine, Whom, when just passing gate of death, Thou didst restore to vital breath. O Lord of life, 'twas Thou didst wrench From Death's firm grasp, his prey, and quench My burning grief in floods of joy; For Thou didst give me back my boy; And tears, O Father, Thou didst dry, In answer to Thy suppliant's cry! May son and daughter, much loved pair, Thy kind protection ever share, And all my house, in happy calm, Be sheltered by Thine hand from harm! And, O my Saviour King, bless Thou The partner of my wedded vow; From sickness and from sorrow free, Faithful, one-minded, may she be, Preserved by Thee from thought of sin, All bright without, all pure within! Untouched by roving passions' tide, My honoured wife, my love, my pride! Loose Thou my soul from baneful chains Of worldly life, its cares and pains, And floods of dismal grief and woe, Which overwhelm this earth below. O! thus prepared may I be found With holy worshippers around To lead the choir, and chants to raise To Thy all-glorious Father's praise; And to Thy majesty, great King, Loud hymns again I hope to sing; Again in voice of praise Thy name To bless, Thy honours to proclaim; May be, my harp I shall again Tune all-unhurt to highest strain. Languages: English

O! 'Tis no theme of common things

Author: Chatfield; Synesius Hymnal: Hymns and Poetry of the Eastern Church #76 (1908) Languages: English

People

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Allen William Chatfield

1808 - 1896 Person Name: Allen W. Chatfield Translator of "O! 'Tis no theme of common things" in Songs and Hymns of the Earliest Greek Christian Poets Chatfield, Allen William, M.A., born at Chatteris, Oct. 2nd, 1808, and educated at Charterhouse School and Trinity College, Cambridge, where he was Bell's Univ. Scholar and Members' Prizeman. He graduated in 1831, taking a first class in classical honours. Taking Holy Orders in 1832, he was from 1833 to 1847 Vicar of Stotfold, Bedfordshire; and since 1847 Vicar of Much-Marcle, Herefordshire. Mr. Chatfield has published various Sermons from time to time. His Litany, &c. [Prayer Book] in Greek verse is admirable, and has been commended by many eminent scholars. His Songs and Hymns of Earliest Greek Christian Poets, Bishops, and others, translated into English Verse, 1876, has not received the attention of hymnal compilers which it merits. One hymn therefrom, "Lord Jesu, think on me," is a specimen of others of equal merit, which might be adopted with advantage. He died Jan. 10, 1896. -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Synesius of Cyrene, Bishop of Ptolemais

370 - 430 Person Name: Synesius Author of "O! 'Tis no theme of common things" in Songs and Hymns of the Earliest Greek Christian Poets Synesius, a native of Cyrene, born circa 375. His descent was illustrious. His pedigree extended through seventeen centuries, and in the words of Gibbon, "could not be equalled in the history of mankind." He became distinguished for his eloquence and philosophy, and as a statesman and patriot he took a noble stand. When the Goths were threatening his country he went to the court of Arcadius, and for three years tried to rouse it to the dangers that were coming on the empire. But Gibbon says, ”The court of Arcadius indulged the zeal, applauded the eloquence, and neglected the advice of Synesius." In 410 he was made Bishop of Ptolemaïs, but much against his will. He died in 430. Synesius's opinions have been variously estimated. That he was imbued with the Neo-Platonic philosophy there is no doubt but that he was a semi-Christian, as alleged by Mosheim or that he denied the doctrine of the Resurrection as stated directly by Gibbon [see Decline and Fall, vol. ii.]; and indirectly by Bingham [see Christian Antiq., Lond., 1843, i., pp. 464-5] is very doubtful. Mr. Chatfield, who has translated his Odes in his Songs and Hymns of the Greek Christian Poets, 1876, contends that his tenth Ode "Lord Jesus, think on me," proves that he was not a semi-Christian, and that he held the doctrine of the Resurrection. The first is clear: but the second is open to doubt. He certainly prays to the Redeemer: but there is nothing in the hymn to shew that he looked upon the Redeemer as being clothed in His risen body. This tenth ode is the only Ode of Synesius, which has come into common use. The original Odes are found in the Anth. Graeca Carm. Christ, 1871, p. 2 seq., and Mr. Chatfield's trs. in his Songs, &c, 1876. Synesius's Odes have also been translation by Alan Stevenson, and included in his The Ten Hymns of Synesius, Bishop of Tyreore, A.D. 410 in English Verse. And some Occasional Pieces by Alan Stevenson, LL.B. Printed for Private Circulation, 1865. -- Excerpts from John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)