For The Holy Innocents
See: The Hymns Of The Holy Innocents
The Feast day of the Holy Innocents, Martyrs, is December 28

Version 2
Compare: Sweet Flowerets of the Martyr Band - Version 1

Words: Salvete flores Martyrum, Cathemerinon ("The Hymns of Prudentius"), Aurelius Clemens Prudentius (348-405)
Translated by Sir Henry W. Baker (1821-1877), 1875 (alt.)

Salvete flores Martyrum is an excerpt from Hymn For The Epiphany
See Notes under: All Hail, Ye Little Martyr Flowers

Music: "Salvete Flores," Rev. J. B. Dykes
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / PDF / XML

Source: Hymns Ancient and Modern (1889), Hymn # 68, p. 68.

1. Sweet flow'rets of the martyr band,
So early pluck's by cruel hand;
Like rosebuds by a tempest torn,
As breaks the light of summer morn;

2. First victims offer'd for the Lord,
Ye little knew your high reward,
As, at the very altar, gay
With psalms and crowns ye seem'd to play

3. Ah! what avail'd King Herod's wrath?
He cold not stay your Saviour's path:
The Child he sought alone went free;
That Child is King eternally.

4. O Lord, the Virgin-born, to Thee
Praise, honour, might, and glory be,
Whom with the Father we adore
And Holy Ghost for evermore.

Additional Tune:
"Sarratt," C. G. E. Ryley
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / PDF / XML
Meter: LM