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Flaming Seraphs

Lucy E. Broadwood: English Traditional Songs and Carols

Cooper & Toller sang Flaming Seraphs on their 2024 album Year’s End. They noted:

Flaming Seraphs is from the Cornish carolling tradition. It appears in the Cornish Song Book (Ralph Dunstan, 1929), where the tune is credited to Mr. W. Cowling of Bolingey. According to notes in the book: “This carol has been sung at Stratton from time ‘immemorial’, so far as our fathers and grandfathers can recollect, and is still sung there and in many other places where Strattoners foregather at Christmas…” Stratton is near Bude.

Lyrics

Flaming Seraphs in Cornish Song Book

Hark! the music of the Cherubs,
Bursting solemn thro’ the sky!
And the band of flaming Seraphs,
Telling wonders from on High!

See affrighted Shepherds gazing
On that bright Celestial Host!
While the dazzling light is blazing,
And they lie in wonder lost.

“Cease your fears – a joyful story –
Unto you is born a Child.
Lo, He comes, the King of Glory;
God to man is reconciled.

“Yea, He leaves His blissful station.
And descends with man to dwell;
Robes Himself with Incarnation,
And subdues the powers of Hell.”

Glory be to God the Father,
Glory be to God the Son,
Glory to the Spirit ever,
The Eternal Three in One.