YE WATCHERS AND YE HOLY ONES
"Rejoice, O nations, with His people, and let all the angels worship
Him." Deuteronomy 32:43
Words: John Athelstan Laurie Riley, 1906.
Music: "Lasst Uns Erfreuen," Geistliche Kirchengesänge, 1623; harmony
by Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1906.
Ye watchers and ye holy ones,
Bright seraphs, cherubims 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 blessed,
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.
Refrain