Martyr Missive

orchidee



Tune: Tempus Adeste Floridum

('Good King Wenceslas')

Acts 7 v.51-60

For St Stephen's Day: Dec 26.

**********

Stephen in Jerusalem

Did preach there unto them

At the ending, he did say

You stubborn ones, this day

Impenitent in your heart

And in ears, on your part

You the Spirit do resist

As ancestors, no desist

 

They prophets persecute

Evil was their heart's root

Prophets showed of the Just One

He to come, God's own Son

You Him betrayed and murdered

Spoke against Him your word

Crucify was all your breath

You oppressed Him to death

 

You who have the law received

Not kept it, not believed

When they heard these thing they were

Enraged, wrath did occur

But Stephen, he being full

Of the Spirit withal

Looked up steadfast to heaven

Saw the glory of God then

 

And Jesus there at right hand

Of God, there His place manned

Heavens opened he did see

But then the crowd's fury

Vented on him, with loud voice

Cast him out, that their choice

Not listened to message there

In his stoning did share

 

He did call on God, saying

Lord, do forgive this thing

Jesus, my spirit receive

I trust you, I believe

Lay not this sin to their charge

Then with peace and courage

He did die, did fall asleep

The Lord his soul did keep

 

Lead us, Lord, to witness strong

Acting against all wrong

As your holy martyr did

Stephen, your light not hid

What seems waster in human thought

Greater purpose has brought

Full of power, life, and grace

Your example he did trace

 

 

 

  • Author: orchidee (Offline Offline)
  • Published: December 26th, 2020 02:41
  • Comment from author about the poem: A hymn-poem in 7.6.7.6. 7.6.7.6. metre, hopefully without the 4 MINUTES advert at the start! Argh! There are some Fidos in the advert though, if you look it up online.
  • Category: Spiritual
  • Views: 32
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Comments +

Comments4

  • Goldfinch60

    Good one Orchi.

    • orchidee

      Thanks Gold.

    • Jerry Reynolds

      A fine piece of work Orchi. Happy New Year

    • Neville


      a deceptively deep hymn poem and true.................................................. N

      • orchidee

        Thanks N. Ya gotta sing this rendition in the clip at about 100mph! I hardly had time to draw breath.

      • Robert Southwick Richmond

        I suppose this text is to fit the Christmas carol "Good King Wenceslas", set by Anglican hymnographer John Mason Neale to the tune TEMPUS ADEST FLORIDUM.

        Deathlessly parodied by Welt Kelly's Pogo as
        Good King Sourkraut looked out
        on his feets uneven

        • orchidee

          Thanks Robert. Yes indeed. Well, it says he looked out on the feast of Stephen, so.....At one time I thought it was 'Good King Wencess last looked out'.



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