2. Whose Angels see the Father's face
  World without end, and hymn His grace;
And, while they praise their glorious King,
  A hymn for Martyrs sweetly sing.

3. A voice from Ramah was there sent,
  A voice of weeping and lament,
While Rachel mourned her children sore,
  Whom for the tyrant's sword she bore.

4. After brief taste of earthly woe
  Eternal triumph now they know;
For whom, by cruel torments rent,
  A voice from Ramah was there sent.

5. And every tear is wiped away
  By your dear Father's hands for aye:
Death hath no power to hurt you more;
  Your own is life's eternal shore.

6. And all who, good seed bearing, weep,
  In everlasting joy shall reap,
What time they shine in heavenly day,
  And every tear is wiped away.

Lulle Lullay

The Coventry Carol

This beautiful English lullaby carol originated in the Coventry Corpus Christi Mystery Plays performed in the 15th century. In a play called The Pageant of the Shearmen and Tailors, the women of Bethlehem sing this song just before Herod's soldiers come to slaughter their children. It tells the story of the murder of the Holy Innocents, and is sung on December 28, the feast of those tiny martyrs.

MIDI Melody - Sheet Music

Lullay, Thou tiny little Child
    Bye-bye, lulle, lullay;
Lullay, Thou tiny little Child,
    Bye-bye, lulle, lullay.

Oh sisters two, how may we do
    To preserve this day?
This poor Childling for whom we sing
    Bye-bye, lulle, lullay.

Herod, the King, in his raging,
    Charged he hath this day
His soldiers in their strength and might,
    All children young to slay.

Then woe is me, poor Child, for Thee,
    And ever mourn and say,
For at thy parting nor say nor sing
    Bye-bye, lulle, lullay.

And when the stars ingather do,
    In their far venture stay,
Then smile as dreaming, Little One,
    Bye-bye, lulle, lullay.