My original hymn for this feast, "Let us now with crowns of praises" was based on the stichera (i.e., office hymnody) for this feast in the Byzantine rite. It belongs to a complete set of texts for fixed feasts (i.e., attached to a specific date in the civil year) which is owned and copyrighted by World Library Publications, Franklin Park, IL. If you are interested in that specific text (which is sung to the melody, Ode to Joy), you can contact me at chantermt@yahoo.com and I will let you know how to access it.
The readings for this feast are Acts 12: 1-11; II Timothy 4:6-8,17-18; and Matthew 16: 13-39, with the Responsorial Psalm being Ps. 34.
This hymn text is newly composed in 2008, and is more reflective of these readings from the Roman Rite for the Eucharist on this day. The meter is 86.86.D, and is intended to be sung to the melody "Kingsfold."
When Herod moved against the Church, he killed James out of spite,
And then thrust Peter into jail, all compassed round with might.
But God dispatched His angel strong, who freed him from his chain,
Restoring him to friends' embrace, who sadly thought him slain.
On Peter's strong confession made of God's Messiah true,
The Lord has built His Church, and naught against it can death do!
"I give to you the kingdom's keys, with pow'r to loose and bind;
The power to remit men's sin is in those keys entwined."
In Paul's own words, "I've run the race, the good fight I have fought;
Now God, the just judge of us all, will give the crown I've sought.
Through God, the preaching task was giv'n and His grace will complete
The work at hand, and then will bring me to His mercy-seat."
The Church, well-built upon this Rock, and taught by these two men
Will yearly come to give You thanks and raise this hymn again:
To Father, Son, and Spirit, God, whom angels all adore,
With Peter, Paul, and all the saints we worship evermore.
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