Words: John Athelstan Laurie Riley, in The English Hymnal (London: Oxford University Press, 1906).Words: John Athelstan Laurie Riley, in The English Hymnal (London: Oxford University Press, 1906).
Music: “Lasst Uns Erfreuen,” Geistliche Kirchengesänge, 1623; harmony by Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1906
 Play MIDI | Link to obtain musical score info |
Ye watchers and ye holy ones,
Bright seraphs, cherubim and thrones,
Raise the glad strain, Alleluia!
Cry out, dominions, princedoms, powers,
Virtues, archangels, angels’ choirs:
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Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia!
O higher than the cherubim,
More glorious than the seraphim,
Lead their praises, Alleluia!
Thou bearer of th’eternal Word,
Most gracious, magnify the Lord.
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Respond, ye souls in endless rest,
Ye patriarchs and prophets blest,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Ye holy twelve, ye martyrs strong,
All saints triumphant, raise the song.
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O friends, in gladness let us sing,
Supernal anthems echoing,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
To God the Father, God the Son,
And God the Spirit, Three in One.
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