The Martyrs Living Now With Christ

Their Anguish Overcome by Love

The Martyrs Living Now With Christ is written by the Archbishop of Cardiff, Francis E. Mostyn (1860-1939). In the Divine Office it is sung on Feast Days of Martyrs. It is set to the tune: Horsley by the English organist and composer, William Horsley (1774-1858).


Tune: Horsley

THE MARTYRS LIVING NOW WITH CHRIST by Francis E. Mostyn (Public Domain)

1. The martyrs living now with Christ
In suffering were tried,
Their anguish overcome by love
When on his cross he died.

2. Across the centuries they come,
In constancy unmoved,
Their loving hearts make no complaint,
In silence they are proved.

3. No man has ever measured love,
Or weighed it in his hand,
But God who knows the inmost heart
Gives them the promised land.

4. Praise Father, Son and Spirit blest,
Who guides us through the night
In ways that reach beyond the stars
To everlasting light.

O Great Saint David

St. David's Cathedral - Pembrokeshire, Wales

O Great Saint David is written by Archbishop Francis Mostyn (1860-1939) of Cardiff, Wales. He composed this tribute to St. David (c.500-c.589), the Patron Saint of Wales to be sung at the dedication of a church named in honour of St. David's mother: St Non's Chapel, which took place on St. David's Day, March 1, 1934. There is no record of the tune to which this hymn was originally sung, however it has been suggested that owing to the unusual metre of the lyrics which restricts the possibilities; one workable musical setting is the tune: Londonderry Air (Danny Boy), as featured in the following video.


Tune: Londonderry Air

O GREAT SAINT DAVID by Francis Mostyn, 1934 (Public Domain)

1. O Great Saint David, still we hear thee call us,
unto a life that knows no fear of death;
Yea, down the ages, will thy words enthral us,
strong happy words:’Be joyful, keep the faith.’

REFRAIN: On Cambria’s sons stretch out thy hands in blessing;
                   for our dear land thy help we now implore.
                   Lead us to God, with humble hearts confessing
                   Jesus, Lord and King for evermore.

2. Christ was the centre rock of all thy teaching,
God’s holy will – the splendour of its theme.
His grace informed, his love inflamed thy preaching;
Christ’s sway on earth, the substance of thy dream. 

3. In early childhood, choosing Jesus only,
thy fervour showed his yoke was light and sweet!
And thus for thee, life’s journey was not lonely,
the path made plain by prints of wounded feet.

4. O glorious saint, we wander in the dark;
with thee we seek our trusted guide in Rome.
Help him to steer on earth Saint Peter’s barque,
that we may safely reach our heavenly home.