ABSTRACT
The earliest poem in the English language is Caedmon’s Hymn. Bede’s story of Caedmon’s formation as a poet tells of how he was a herdsman in St Hilda’s great abbey at Whitby – a distinguished community of poetry and song as well as religion and learning. Caedmon felt he had no skill in composing or performing, and he would hide away in the stables at night when his turn to contribute to the artistic entertainment of the place was close. One night an angel visited him in the hay: ‘Caedmon, compose!’ ‘I cannot,’ said Caedmon, ‘I do not have sufficient skill to make a poem.’ The angel encouraged him: ‘Caedmon, sing a song in praise of God the Creator,’ and so Caedmon’s first poem flowed: We worship the Weaver of heaven’s wide fabric, majesty’s Might, the Wisdom of minds, creation’s Keeper, Maker of marvels, glory’s Eternity, lordship’s Life, Who spread out space: for all creatures a canopy; Who laid down the land as humanity’s home. (Pryce, 2003: 150)
