Sanctorum meritis inclita gaudia. [Common of Martyrs.] This hymn is frequently referred to by Hinemar in his "De una et non trina Deitate," 857; but he distinctly says he could not discover its author. It is found in four manuscripts of the 11th century in the British Museum; and in the Latin Hymns of the Anglo Saxon Church, 1851, is printed from an 11th century manuscript at Durham. Also in a manuscript of the 10th century at Bern, No. 455; in a manuscript of the 11th century at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge (No. 391, p. 272); in the St. Gall manuscript 413 and 414, of the 11th century. It is in the Roman, Sarum, York, Aberdeen, Paris of 1643, and other Breviaries—-the Sarum use being at 1st Vespers and at Matins in the common of many martyrs… [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.]
Translations in common use:—
1. The triumphs of the martyr'd saints. By Bishop R. Mant, in his Ancient Hymns, 1837, p. 76, and 1871, p. 133.
2. The triumphs of the saints, Blessed for evermore. By J. M. Neale, in the Hymnal Noted, 1852, No. 39
Translations not in common use:—
1. Let us that fellowes be the glorious joyes sound out. Primer. 1599.
2. By healpe of Saints, come let our tongues relate. Primer. 1615.
3. Let us fam'd acts and triumphs sing. Primer. 1685.
4. When bleeding Heroes fill the tuneful Quire. Primer. 1706.
5. Sing we the peerless deeds of martyr'd saints. E. Caswall. 1849.
6. Brethren, the praise of the holy ones waken. W. J. Blew. 1852-55.
7. The triumphs of the saints, Their joys beyond compare. J. D. Chambers. 1857.
8. The wondrous joys which crown the saints. J. W. Hewett. 1859.
9. Let us proclaim the Martyrs' bliss. J. Wallace. 1874.
The variations in the Roman Breviary text from the older form are very slight. The translations by Neale, Blew, Chambers, and Hewett, are from the older form; the rest follow the Roman Brev. form. There is an anonymous imitation rather than a tr. of the Latin text in Fallow's Hymns for Public and Private Worship, 1847; and again, with the addition of a doxology, in Johnston's English Hymal, 1852, beginning "Blest Lord, the crown of great reward."
--Excerpts from John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)
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