Bede: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

Hymnum canentes Martyrum

Bede

“Hymnum canentes Martyrum” as printed in Mediaeval Hymns and Sequences (1867).

Bede: Collected Lyrics Text 1 1867 · historical text
Public domainHymnMediaeval song
Complete public-domain lyrics

This text comes from Mediaeval Hymns and Sequences, edited by John Mason Neale, a historical songbook transcribed on Wikisource and reproduced from the pinned revision linked below.

Verse 1

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.

Verse 2

By that accursed monarch slain,

Their loving Maker bade them reign:

With Him they dwell, no more distressed,

In the fair Land of light and rest:

He gives them mansions, one and all,

In that His Heavenly Father's Hall:

—Thus have they changed their loss for gain,

By that accursed Monarch slain.

Verse 3

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.

Verse 4

Fear not, O little flock and blest,

The lion that your life oppressed!

To heavenly pastures ever new

The heavenly Shepherd leadeth you;

Who, dwelling now on Sion's hill

The Lamb's dear footsteps follow still:

By tyrant there no more distressed,

Fear not, O little flock and blest!

Verse 5

And every tear is wiped away

By your dear Father's bands for aye;

Death hath no power to hurt you more,

Whose own is 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.

Verse 6

O City blest o'er all the earth,

Who gloriest in the Saviour's 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 earh!

Credits

Written by Bede

Words by Bede. Historical text published in Mediaeval Hymns and Sequences (1867); public domain. No claim to a modern recording or arrangement.

Source & text edition

Mediaeval Hymns and Sequences (1867), edited by John Mason Neale, “Hymnum canentes Martyrum”

The 1867 published edition is in the public domain in the United States (pre-1931 publication). Entries whose credited author or translator died more than 70 years ago are also in the public domain in life-plus-70 jurisdictions; other entries are held.

How to read this historical text and its source

Read the source on Wikisource

View copyright evidence · Transcription terms (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Retrieved 2026-10-25. Line spacing and section labels are adapted for reading. The displayed text follows the linked edition. Editorial notes and abstract artwork are by 52lyrics.
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