Caedmon's Hymn
for a cappella chorus
The poem, Caedmon's Hymn, the earliest known Old English poem, was written between 657 and 680.
The poet Caedmon of the monastery of Whitby, who was formerly unable to sing, had a dream in which
he sang this Hymn. On awaking he made known his new gift of song and was taken before the Abbess
Hild, who instructed him to become a monk. He did so, and wrote many other poems on religious subjects.
Caedmon's Hymn is the first poem to adapt vernacular English of the Anglo-Saxons to Christian
subject-matter.
17th c. Anglo-Saxon translation
Now must we praise
the Creator's might,
glorius Father of men!
Lord eternal,
He first framed
the heaven as a roof;
then mid-earth
the eternal Lord
the earth for men
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the Guardian of heaven's kingdom
and his mind's thought;
as of every wonder he,
formed the beginning.
for the children of earth
Holy Creator!
the Guardian of mankind;
afterwards produced
Lord Almighty!
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Performances
-Kantorei, Timothy Stalter, cond., University of Iowa, September 27, 2000,
November 11, 2000 (Clapp) & February 12, 2001 (Hancher)
-Kantorei, William Hatcher, cond., University of Iowa, October 14, 1992
-Southern Methodist University Chamber Singers, Barbara Brinson, cond.,
Dallas, April 20, 1990
-The University of Texas, San Antonio Concert Choir, John Silantien, cond.,
San Antonio, Texas, Society of Composers Inc., Region VI Conference, April 28, 1989
-Music for a Summer Evening Concert Series, Ann Arbor, Michigan, July 26, 1986
