Oh, you know, there’s this old hymn that gets sung every now and then, it’s called “Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones.” Now, I might not know much about all them fancy words, but this song talks about all them heavenly folks—angels, cherubim, thrones, and all that. It’s got a real joyful sound to it, makes you wanna lift your voice up and shout with all your might!
So the first line goes like this: “Ye watchers and ye holy ones, bright seraphs, cherubim, and thrones.” Now, I don’t know much about seraphs and cherubim, but from what I can gather, they’s some powerful angels, the real high-ranking ones. They up there in the heavens, watching over things, making sure everything’s in order. They all part of that big heavenly choir, singing praises, lifting their voices to the Lord. Ain’t that somethin’?
Then it goes on, “Raise the glad strain, Alleluia!” Well, ‘Alleluia’ means ‘Praise the Lord’—and that’s what they do, all them angels and holy ones, they’re praising the Lord day and night. Just think about it: A whole choir of angels singing ‘Alleluia,’ lifting up the heavens with their voices. Now, that’s a sound you wouldn’t forget in a hurry, I reckon!
Next, it says, “Cry out, dominions, princedoms, powers, virtues.” Now, dominions and princedoms—those sound like real important jobs, don’t they? Like, them are the ones who’s in charge of keeping things in line. They got power, they got authority. And the virtues, well, they’re the good ones, the ones with all the good qualities that help keep things righteous and holy. I reckon they all up there doin’ the Lord’s work, watchin’ over us.
Now, I’ve heard some folks sing this hymn at church, especially around Easter time. It’s a time when folks are feelin’ real blessed and thankful, and this hymn fits right in with that spirit. It reminds us that there’s a whole lot more goin’ on up in the heavens than we can see down here. These angels, they’re all part of a big, beautiful song of praise, and we get to join in, even if it’s just a little bit.
And don’t forget, the song says “Ye watchers and ye holy ones”—that means all them angels, archangels, powers, and dominions. It’s like a big ol’ family up there in the heavens, all joinin’ in to praise God. I reckon we could take a lesson from them, learn to raise our voices more often and shout out ‘Alleluia!’ when the spirit moves us.
Now, you might ask, what’s the tune like? Well, I reckon it’s a lively one, something that makes you want to clap your hands and stomp your feet. The hymn’s got a rhythm that’s as steady as a heartbeat, and the melody’s easy enough for folks to join in. I’ve heard it played on the piano a time or two, and let me tell you, it fills the whole church up with a kind of joy you just can’t ignore.
All in all, this hymn’s a reminder to us, down here on Earth, that there’s a whole lot more to this world than what we can see. We might not be able to hear the angels sing, but they sure are out there, doin’ their work, liftin’ up their voices and praising the Lord. And if they can do it, so can we.
So, next time you hear this hymn, remember them holy ones up in the heavens. They’re watchin’ over us, and they’re raisin’ a mighty sound of praise to God. Maybe we ought to do the same, don’t you think?
Tags：[Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones, hymn, heavenly choir, praise, Alleluia, angels, Easter hymn, religious music, John Athelstan Laurie Riley, Christian song]