1. Sweet flowerets of the martyr band,
Plucked by the tyrant's ruthless hand
Upon the threshold of the morn,
Like rosebuds by a tempest torn;
2. First victims for the incarnate Lord,
A tender flock to feel the sword;
Beside the very altar gay,
With palm and crown, ye seemed to play.
3. Ah, what availed King Herod's wrath?
He could not stop the Savior's path.
Alone, while others murdered lay,
In safety Christ is borne away.
4. O Lord, the Virgin-born, to Thee
Eternal praise and glory be,
Whom with the Father we adore
And Holy Ghost forevermore. Amen.
Hymn #273 from _The Handbook to the Lutheran Hymnal_
Text: Rev. 14:4
Author: Aurelius C. Prudentius, 413, cento
Translated by: Henry W. Baker, 1875, alt.
Titled: "Salvete, flores martyrum"
Composer: Daniel Vetter, 1713
Tune: "Das walt' Gott Vater"