Blessed Charles, King and Martyr

At Candlemas in white arrayed
   He stood, the newly crowned,
Where music murmured, banners swayed,
   And Westminster its homage paid,
To blazoning trumpets' sound.
   To blazoning trumpets' sound.

When home they bore his coffin slow,
   The flaring torches' light
Revealed no sable pall, for lo!
   Over its gloom the loyal snow
Had cast a covering white.
   Had cast a covering white.

But whiter far than robe or pall,
   He bore to tragic goal,
Through battle, prison, judgment-hall,
   His one abiding coronal,
A white and Kingly soul.
   A white and Kingly soul.

Regicide: 30 January 1649


Rex divine, Rector regum  Royal Charles, who chose to die

Tune: Repton