Caedmon

...inspired, no doubt, by the original Caedmon; who was in turn inspired by "The Maker-Man".

Caedmon was an illiterate cowherd of the middle ages who composed many songs of praise. This one, transcribed by a contemporary named Bede, is the only one that survives. It is the earliest documented poem in the English language. No wonder Caedmon has been an inspiration to writers of verse and song through the ages...(and to me as I ponder my empty house and procrastinate completing my final assignment for Friday's class).

Found this information online:

"Caedmon's Hymn to God

(From Old English)
This is the earliest documented oral poem in English history. The Hymn itself was composed between 658 and 680 by Caedmon, who composed it to honour God the Creator. Like many Old English and Anglo-Latin pieces, it was designed to be sung aloud and was never physically recorded by Cædmon himself, who was an illiterate cowherd of the early Middle Ages. However, it was written and preserved by other literate individuals, and was recorded in the earlier part of the 8th century. It survives today in at least 14 verified manuscript copies. It is attributed to Caedmon by Bede in his Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglorum and survives in a Latin translation as well as in vernacular versions written down in several manuscripts of Bede's Historia. Though he was known to have composed a great many other hymns this is Caedmon's only surviving work.

Cædmon's Hymn to God
By Cædmon

Latin Version:
Translated by Bede
(with Modern English from http://www.heorot.dk/bede-caedmon.html copyright Benjamin Slade 2002-3)

Nunc laudare debemus auctorem regni caelestis

Now we ought to praise the maker of the heavenly kingdom

potentiam Creatoris, et consilium illius

the power of the Creator, and his intention

facta Patris gloriae: quomodo ille,

the deeds of the Father of glory: how he,

cum sit aeternus Deus omnium miraculorum auctor exstitit;

since he is the eternal Lord of all miracles has been the author;

qui primo filiis hominum
5
who first for the sons of men

caelum pro culmine tecti

heaven for a roof above

dehinc terram custos humani generis

next, the earth, the keeper of the human-race
omnipotens creavit.

the all-powerful created.

Modern English Version:
translated by A.Z. Foreman
Hail now the holder of heaven's realm,
That architect's might, his mind's many ways,
Lord forever and father of glory,
Ultimate crafter of all wonders,
Holy Maker who hoisted the heavens
To roof the heads of the human race,
And fashioned land for the legs of man,
Liege of the worldborn, Lord almighty.

Old English Version:
translated by A.Z. Foreman
Nū sculon heriġean heofonrīċes weard,
Meotodes meahte ond his mōdġeþanc,
weorc wuldorfæder, swā hē wundra ġehwæs,
ēċe Drihten, ōr onstealde.
Hē ǣrest sceōp eorðan bearnum
heofon tō hrōfe, hāliġ Scyppend;
þā middanġeard monncynnes weard,
ēċe Drihten, æfter tēode
fīrum foldan, Frēa ælmihtiġ."

Follow this link for a video reading of this hymn:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29v_adW9dn0