The song of Caedmon

Caedmon was a shepherd employed by the Benedictine monks of Whitby Abbey during the Dark Ages. He was a contemporary of Abbess Hilda, niece of King Edwin. Initially a shy, illiterate man, Caedmon had a dream which he translated into a magnificent poem glorifying God. This was the start of his long and distinguished career as a poet although few of his works survive

In my second year at primary school we did a play about Caedmon. I played his pet cow

    Now [we] must honour
    the guardian of heaven,
    the might of the architect,
    and his purpose,
    the work of the father of glory
    — as he, the eternal lord,
    established
    the beginning of wonders.
    He, the holy creator,
    first created heaven as a roof
    for the children of men.
    Then the guardian of mankind
    the eternal lord,
    the Lord almighty
    afterwards appointed
    the middle earth,
    the lands, for men.