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Unless otherwise noted, the original translations and poems on this site are by middlingpoet and are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Tag Archives: Hymns
Heavenly Salem
Here’s an early Christian hymn, sung at the dedication of church buildings. For my Protestant friends, it’s kind of like “The Church’s One Foundation” (S. J. Stone, 1866) — only better. Blessed City Blessèd city, heavenly Salem, vision dear of … Continue reading
Posted in Anglican, Catholic, mysticism
Tagged anthems, bridal mysticism, Christianity, Hymns, Latin, Poetry, urban dwelling
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The Fair Glory
Today is Michaelmas, the feast of St. Michael and All Angels. And here is an ancient hymn. Written in the 800s, it asks for the help of angels, invoking their powers as guides, guards, and conquerors of serpents. But interestingly, … Continue reading
Posted in Anglican, Catholic, Church Year, Hymns
Tagged angels, anthems, Christianity, Hymns, music, Poetry
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Psalm 148
To the tune King’s Weston Praise Him in the heavens, Praise Him in the height, Praise Him, day and evening, Praise Him, stars of light: Angels and archangels, All the fiery host, Praise Him: God the Father, Son, and Holy … Continue reading
The Dove
O cease my wandering soul, On restless wing to roam; All the wide world, to either pole, Has not for thee a home. Behold the Ark of God, Behold the open door; Hasten to gain that dear abode, And rove, … Continue reading
Posted in Sacred Harp / Southern Harmony, Uncategorized
Tagged Christianity, Folk, Hymns, Poetry, Sacred Harp, Southern Harmony
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Wondrous Type
“Oh wondrous type” is a wondrous Transfiguration hymn. Some hymnals emend “type” to “sight,” but that is clearly a mistake. A “type” in the old sense of the word is closer to what we now call a “prototype.” Christ’s transfiguration … Continue reading
Posted in Anglican, Catholic, Church Year, Hymns
Tagged Christianity, Figural reading, Hymns, medieval, music, Poetry, Transfiguration, Typology
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Transfiguration
Today is the Feast of the Transfiguration in the new Western calendar. It’s an old feast, with old traditions. The following is one of the oldest anthems for the day, written by a contemporary of Augustine. All Ye Who Seek … Continue reading
Posted in Anglican, Catholic, Church Year, Eastern Orthodox, Hymns, Lutheran
Tagged Christianity, Hymns, liturgy, Patristics, Poetry, Tradition, Transfiguration
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Invocation
God be in my head, and in my understanding; God be in mine eyes, and in my looking; God be in my mouth, and in my speaking; God be in my heart, and in my thinking; God be at mine … Continue reading
Epiphanies
Epiphanytide is what we’re in right now. It’s the stretch between the adoration of the magi and the Presentation of Christ in the Temple, or Ash Wednesday, depending on your tradition. That’s because there’s not just one Epiphany. “Epiphany” is … Continue reading
Posted in Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, Epiphany, Hymns, Lutheran, Methodist, Uncategorized
Tagged Christianity, Hymns, Poetry
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From 1684
One of the Wexford carols. On Christmas night all Christians sing To hear the news the angels bring. News of great joy, cause of great mirth News of our King, his birth. The King of Kings of earth and heaven … Continue reading
Posted in Advent & Christmas, Carols
Tagged Carols, Christianity, Christmas, Hymns, Poetry
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Awake and Hearken
One great love-worthy thing about the traditional Advent season is the way it runs together the first coming of Christ with the second coming. Take this hymn, for example. It opens with the announcement of Christ’s return. Is this an announcement … Continue reading
The Middle Room 