- Feb 5, 2002
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As Catholics, we are blessed to be able to draw inspiration from the rich history of our faith. One such example is the beautiful and ancient hymn known as Cædmon’s Hymn.
According to the monk Bede, Cædmon was a humble cow-herder who was miraculously empowered by God to sing in honor of the Creator. This hymn, which is believed to have been composed between 658 and 680, is considered to be the oldest surviving English poem. It is also one of the oldest examples of Germanic alliterative verse and a significant landmark in the study of Old English literature.
The poem has a claim to being the oldest surviving English poem and is the earliest securely dateable example of Old English verse. It is also the Old English poem attested in the largest number of manuscripts – twenty-one – after Bede’s Death Song. These manuscripts show significant variation in the form of the text, making it an important case-study for the scribal transmission of Old English verse.
The importance of Cædmon’s Hymn extends beyond its historical value, as it serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of faith. It is a testament to the fact that anyone, regardless of their background or abilities, can be used by God to spread His message of love and hope.
Continued below.
ucatholic.com
According to the monk Bede, Cædmon was a humble cow-herder who was miraculously empowered by God to sing in honor of the Creator. This hymn, which is believed to have been composed between 658 and 680, is considered to be the oldest surviving English poem. It is also one of the oldest examples of Germanic alliterative verse and a significant landmark in the study of Old English literature.
The poem has a claim to being the oldest surviving English poem and is the earliest securely dateable example of Old English verse. It is also the Old English poem attested in the largest number of manuscripts – twenty-one – after Bede’s Death Song. These manuscripts show significant variation in the form of the text, making it an important case-study for the scribal transmission of Old English verse.
The importance of Cædmon’s Hymn extends beyond its historical value, as it serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of faith. It is a testament to the fact that anyone, regardless of their background or abilities, can be used by God to spread His message of love and hope.
Continued below.
Is This 1300-Year-Old Hymn the Oldest English Hymn? | uCatholic
What is the oldest known English hymn and where was it found? Learn more about this exciting discovery from the the 7th century
ucatholic.com
