O MARTYRED SAINTS
(A hymn for the 44)

1.       O Martyred Saints of England, O holy Saints of Wales,

          Ye priests and lay oblations of Faith that never failed,

          By rack and rope oppressèd, by death you were set free

          To stand among the blessèd, the face of God to see.

(2.*    O Holy Saint Ralph Sherwin, the first to win the crown

          Who called out Jesus’ name and claimed it for his own,

          O forty-four in glory, our forerunners in faith,

          On this thy solemn feast-day, we sing thy names in praise.)

3.       The seed of grace was planted, by God’s eternal Word,

          And watered by the blood of the martyrs here on earth,

          Send forth a double measure, if such be in thy power,

          That these dear fields you watered, may now begin to flow’r.

4.       O pray then for dear England, O pray for blessèd Wales,

          Our separated brethren, by care and woe assailed,

          That with thy Vicar Peter, they once more may unite,

          To stand upon the Rock for whose truth you bled and died.

5.       To God be all the glory, to Father, Spirit, Son,

          In whose eternal passion, the Victory was won,

          O come Lord Jesus help us, reach out thy wounded hands

          And raise us up to glory, to our blest promised lands

​

* Alt for the Feast of the English/Welsh Martyrs

(2.     Oppress'd, cast out, derided, and hunted far and wide

          You won the crown of glory, and Caesar's crown defied,

          Inspire us, blessed Martyrs, to follow where you trod

          To be the King's good subjects, but bowing first to God.)

Copyright: Fr Edward Hauschild (2023)