Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones
Encyclopedia
Ye watchers and ye holy ones is a popular Christian
hymn written by Athelstan Riley
(1858–1945). It is sung to the German tune Lasst Uns Erfreuen which also goes by the name Vigiles et Sancti. Its uplifting melody make this a favourite Anglo-Catholic hymn during times of great rejoicing. The first stanza addresses each of the traditional nine choirs of angels, the second stanza focuses on the Blessed Virgin Mary and is based on ancient Eastern Orthodox prayers to Mary
, the third urges the holy souls to join in praising God
and also urges the patriarchs, prophets, the holy apostles, the martyr
s, and All Saints
to join in the praise
of God. They are addressed in groups similar to those in the Litany of the Saints
. The fourth stanza finally addresses the present congregation and all the living to join together in praise. So in this hymn, all three parts of the church, the church triumphant the church expectant and the church militant are addressed because of the traditional belief in the communion of saints
.
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
hymn written by Athelstan Riley
Athelstan Riley
John Athelstan Laurie Riley was an English hymn writer and hymn translator.Riley was born in Paddington, London, and attended Pembroke College, Oxford although left without obtaining a degree. Active in the Anglo-Catholic wing of the Church of England, he energised the development of the English...
(1858–1945). It is sung to the German tune Lasst Uns Erfreuen which also goes by the name Vigiles et Sancti. Its uplifting melody make this a favourite Anglo-Catholic hymn during times of great rejoicing. The first stanza addresses each of the traditional nine choirs of angels, the second stanza focuses on the Blessed Virgin Mary and is based on ancient Eastern Orthodox prayers to Mary
Mary (mother of Jesus)
Mary , commonly referred to as "Saint Mary", "Mother Mary", the "Virgin Mary", the "Blessed Virgin Mary", or "Mary, Mother of God", was a Jewish woman of Nazareth in Galilee...
, the third urges the holy souls to join in praising God
God
God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
and also urges the patriarchs, prophets, the holy apostles, the martyr
Martyr
A martyr is somebody who suffers persecution and death for refusing to renounce, or accept, a belief or cause, usually religious.-Meaning:...
s, and All Saints
All Saints
All Saints' Day , often shortened to All Saints, is a solemnity celebrated on 1 November by parts of Western Christianity, and on the first Sunday after Pentecost in Eastern Christianity, in honour of all the saints, known and unknown...
to join in the praise
Praise
Praise is the act of making positive statements about a person, object or idea, either in public or privately. Praise is typically, but not exclusively, earned relative to achievement and accomplishment...
of God. They are addressed in groups similar to those in the Litany of the Saints
Litany of the Saints
The Litany of the Saints is a sacred prayer of the Roman Catholic Church, the Western Rites of the Orthodox Church, and some Anglican Churches. It is a prayer of invocation to the Triune God, and prayers for the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Angels and all the martyrs and saints...
. The fourth stanza finally addresses the present congregation and all the living to join together in praise. So in this hymn, all three parts of the church, the church triumphant the church expectant and the church militant are addressed because of the traditional belief in the communion of saints
Communion of Saints
The communion of saints , when referred to persons, is the spiritual union of the members of the Christian Church, living and the dead, those on earth, in heaven, and, for those who believe in purgatory, those also who are in that state of purification.They are all part of a single "mystical body",...
.
Text
- Ye watchers and ye holy ones,
- Bright seraphs, cherubCherubA cherub is a type of spiritual being mentioned in the Hebrew Bible and cited later on in the Christian biblical canons, usually associated with the presence of God...
im and thronesThronesThe Thrones are a class of celestial beings mentioned by Paul of Tarsus in and related to the throne of God. They are living symbols of God's justice and authority. According to the New Testament, these high celestial beings are among those Orders at the Christ's service...
,- Raise the glad strain, Alleluia!
- Cry out, dominions, princedoms, powers,
- Virtues, archangels, angels’ choirs:
- Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
- O higher than the cherubim,
- More glorious than the seraphim,
- Lead their praises, Alleluia!
- Thou bearerTheotokosTheotokos is the Greek title of Mary, the mother of Jesus used especially in the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, and Eastern Catholic Churches. Its literal English translations include God-bearer and the one who gives birth to God. Less literal translations include Mother of God...
of th’eternal Word, - Most gracious, magnify the LordMagnificatThe Magnificat — also known as the Song of Mary or the Canticle of Mary — is a canticle frequently sung liturgically in Christian church services. It is one of the eight most ancient Christian hymns and perhaps the earliest Marian hymn...
.- Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
- Respond, ye souls in endless rest,
- Ye patriarchsPatriarchs (Bible)The Patriarchs of the Bible, when narrowly defined, are Abraham, the ancestor of all the Abrahamic nations; his son Isaac, the ancestor of the nations surrounding Israel/Judah; and Isaac's son Jacob, also named Israel, the ancestor of the Israelites...
and prophetsProphets of ChristianityThis is a list of prophets recognized in Christianity, including those mentioned in both the Hebrew Bible and the canonical New Testament.The main list consists of only those individuals that have been clearly defined as prophets, either by explicit statement or strong contextual implication, ...
blest,- Alleluia! Alleluia!
- Ye holy twelve, ye martyrChristian martyrsA Christian martyr is one who is killed for following Christianity, through stoning, crucifixion, burning at the stake or other forms of torture and capital punishment. The word "martyr" comes from the Greek word μάρτυς, mártys, which means "witness."...
s strong, - All saints triumphant, raise the song.
- Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
- O friends, in gladness let us sing,
- Supernal anthems echoing,
- Alleluia! Alleluia!
- To God the Father, God the SonGod the SonGod the Son is the second person of the Trinity in Christian theology. The doctrine of the Trinity identifies Jesus of Nazareth as God the Son, united in essence but distinct in person with regard to God the Father and God the Holy Spirit...
, - And God the SpiritHoly SpiritHoly Spirit is a term introduced in English translations of the Hebrew Bible, but understood differently in the main Abrahamic religions.While the general concept of a "Spirit" that permeates the cosmos has been used in various religions Holy Spirit is a term introduced in English translations of...
, Three in OneTrinityThe Christian doctrine of the Trinity defines God as three divine persons : the Father, the Son , and the Holy Spirit. The three persons are distinct yet coexist in unity, and are co-equal, co-eternal and consubstantial . Put another way, the three persons of the Trinity are of one being...
.- Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!