The Hymns of Martin Luther: Part 2

by R.A. Miller
Published August 22nd, 2022.

We are continuing our series analyzing lesser-known hymns by Martin Luther, the man that launched the Protestant Reformation. The second song we are looking at is “Flung to the Heedless Winds.” Originally published in 1523, this hymn was translated into English by John A. Messenger in 1843. The sheet music for this song can be seen here.

The lyrics are often associated with Revelation 17:6. That verse says, “And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.” The main emphasis is placed on the phrase, "the blood of the martyrs of Jesus,” as this is a song about martyrdom. Here are the lyrics:

Flung to the Heedless Winds

Flung to the heedless winds
Or on the waters cast,
The martyrs' ashes, watched,
Shall gathered be at last.
And from that scattered dust,
Around us and abroad,
Shall spring a plenteous seed
Of witnesses for God.

2 The Father hath received
Their latest living breath,
And vain is Satan's boast
Of vict'ry in their death.
Still, still, though dead, they speak,
And, trumpet-tongued, proclaim
To many a wak'ning land
The one availing name.