An excellent scholarly source to study Bede’s story of Caedmon in different languages,
and the different versions of the poem is: www.heorot.dk/bede-caedmon.html
CAEDMON'S HYMN
Nu sculon herigean
heofonrices weard,
metodes meahte
and his modgeþanc,
weorc wuldorfæder,
swa he wundra gehwæs,
ece drihten,
or onstealde.
He ærest sceop
eorðan bearnum
heofon to hrofe,
halig scyppend;
þa middangeard
moncynnes weard,
ece drihten,
æfter teode
firum foldan,
frea ælmihtig.
Now must we praise of heaven’s kingdom the Keeper
Of the Lord the power
and his Wisdom
The work of the Glory-Father, as he of marvels each,
The eternal Lord,
the beginning established.
He first created
of earth for the sons
Heaven as a roof,
the Holy Creator.
Then the middle-enclosure
of mankind the Protector
The eternal Lord, thereafter made
For men, earth
the Lord almighty.
Now we must praise the Guardian of the heavenly kingdom, the power of the Creator and the
thoughts of His mind, the work of the Father of Glory as He, the Eternal Lord, established the
beginning of every wonder. He first created heaven as a roof for the children of earth, the Holy
Creator. The Guardian of mankind, the Eternal Lord, afterwards established the world for men on
earth, the Lord Almighty.