The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #76   Message #2171219
Posted By: Nigel Parsons
14-Oct-07 - 08:11 PM
Thread Name: Halloween/All Souls Eve Lyrics
Subject: Lyr Add: HYMN FOR THE SAINTS OF WALES (T Rees)
On the basis that there may not be a thread for 'All Saints', I append below a hymn for the Welsh saints written by a Welsh Bishop.
This is suited to All Saints Day for churches with a Welsh connection, or for St David's Day (1st March).

Hymn for the Saints of Wales
Bishop Timothy Rees (1874 – 1939) Bishop of Llandaff (1931- 1939)
Usual tune Blaenwern

Lord, who in thy perfect wisdom
Times and seasons dost arrange
Working out thy changeless purpose
In a world of ceaseless change:
Thou didst form our ancient nation
In remote barbaric days,
To unfold in it a purpose
To thy glory and thy praise.

To our shores, remote, benighted
Washed by distant western waves,
Tidings in thy love thou sentest
Tidings of the Cross that saves.
Men of courage strove and suffered
Here thy holy Church to plant;
Glorious in the roll of heroes
Shines the name of Dewi Sant.

Lord, we hold in veneration
All the saints our land has known.
Bishops, priests, confessors, martyrs,
Standing now around thy throne.
Dewi, Dyfrig, Deiniol, Teilo,
All the gallant saintly band.
Who, of old, by prayer and labour
Hallowed all our fatherland.

Still thine ancient purpose standeth
Every change and chance above:
Still thine ancient Church remaineth
Witness to thy changeless love.
Vision grant us, Lord, and courage
To fulfil thy work begun
In the Church and in the nation
Lord of Lords, thy will be done.



Pronunciation (approximate) of the Welsh Saints names
Dewi = "dare we" (but without sounding the 'r')
Dyfrig = "dove (bird) rig"        
Deiniol = "dine yol"
Teilo = "Tie low"