Saint Denis, Martyr, carried his own head
To his determined final resting spot;
A bishop, Martyr, who died by the blade,-
A man who preached with zeal the word of God.

He was beheaded on a Paris mount,
Which is now called “Montmartre” everywhere,
But is considered France’s holy ground,
By folks from Paris and the visitor.

Legenda Aurea says: “How marvelous!”
He carried his own head - thing unheard of!
For miles the headless walked and still would bless
And preach to foe and friends the Lord's great love,

The Patron is Saint Denis of Paris,-
Protecting Paris with great vigilance,
The pilgrims touch his grave with rosaries,
And pray before the Martyr Saint of France.

He was decapitated and his body thrown
By vicious pagans in the River Seine,
But his disciples hidden in the town
Would fish him from the currents back again.

A challenge for the finest artists is
His halo - where just should his halo sit?-
Upon the trunk of Martyr Saint Denis,
Or on the severed head for better fit?



Where? - on the head he carried in his hands
As he marched forth across the flowery fields,
A-preaching fervently to foes and friends- ?
This was the problem of the painters' guilds!

The bells of Paris ring at Notre Dame,
October 9th, and the Parisians thrill,
Big bells Saint Denis’ Martyr’s feast proclaim
Who was beheaded on Montmartre hill.

But oh!’ Saint Denis carried his own head!
Folks saw him carry it around - it’s true!-
"Head Carrier " is therefore his epithet,-
Bow low - “Pour la plus grande gloire de Dieu!

© Elizabeth Dandy




St. Denis died in AD 250 under Emperor Decius
Is buried in the basilica of the Frankish kings
Pepin, Charlemagne, Clovis Charles Martel,and all Merovingian and Carolingian kings.