Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones
"Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones" is a popular Christian hymn with text by Athelstan Riley, first published in the English Hymnal. It is sung to the German tune Lasst uns erfreuen. Its uplifting melody and repeated "Alleluias" make this a favourite Anglo-Catholic hymn during the Easter season, the Feast of All Saints, and other times of great rejoicing.
The hymn was also notably adapted for the final movement of The Company of Heaven, a cantata by Benjamin Britten.Text
The 1906 text is based on two ancient Eastern Christian prayers, Te Deum and Axion Estin. The first stanza addresses each of the traditional nine choirs of angels. The second stanza focuses on the Blessed Virgin Mary. The third stanza urges the faithful departed to join in praising God, including the church patriarchs, prophets, apostles, martyrs and saints, addressed in groups similar to those in the Litany of the Saints. The fourth stanza finally addresses the present congregation to join together in praise. So, this hymn addresses the traditional Three States of the Church, reflecting the belief in the communion of saints.
The original text follows:
Melody
Below is the 1623 German hymn tune Lasst uns erfreuen, as adapted for the 1906 English Hymnal:
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