Ye watchers and ye holy ones is a popular Christian hymn written by Athelstan Riley (1858–1945). It is sung to the German tune Lasst Uns Erfreuen which also goes by the name Vigiles et Sancti. Its uplifting melody make this a favourite Anglo-Catholic hymn during times of great rejoicing. The first stanza addresses each of the traditional nine choirs of angels, the second stanza focuses on the Blessed Virgin Mary and is based on ancient Eastern Orthodox prayers to Mary, the third urges the holy souls to join in praising God and also urges the patriarchs, prophets, the holy apostles, the martyrs, and All Saints to join in the praise of God. They are addressed in groups similar to those in the Litany of the Saints. The fourth stanza finally addresses the present congregation and all the living to join together in praise. So in this hymn, all three parts of the church, the church triumphant the church expectant and the church militant are addressed because of the traditional belief in the communion of saints.
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Famous quotes containing the words watchers and/or holy:
“The watchers in their leopard suits
Waited till it was time,
And aimed between the belt and boot
And let the barrel climb.”
—Louis Simpson (b. 1923)
“Even the newts are white,
Those holy Joes.
And the fish, the fish—
Christ! they are panes of ice.”
—Sylvia Plath (1932–1963)