Mary's Magnificat

For Christmas

Words: Mortel, entends Maria, Traditional Bearnaise Noël
English Translation by the Rev. J. O'Connor

Music: Traditional Bearnaise Noël

Source: Richard Runciman Terry, Two Hundred Folk Carols (London: Burns Oates & Washbourne Limited, 1933), Carol #69, pp. 4-5.

1. Mortals give ear to Mary
    Hymning her ecstasy:
My spirit gives Him glory
    Who does great things to me.
Henceforth all generations
    My name with His shall blend
Tho' hoary grow the nations
    His mercy knows no end.

2. Mighty His arm eternal:
    One bear of His heart's core
Scatters their pride infernal,
    Who persecute the poor.
Down from their thrones the Holy
    Headlong has flung them far;
Lifting on high the lowly,
    High o'er the morning star.

3. By Him are starving mortals
    Fill'd full of Living Bread: –
And from His open portals
    Rich men depart unfed.
That which He told our fathers,
    Mercy remembers well,
How once for all is chosen
    God's Son in Israel.

4. So sings the Mystic Woman,
    Crowning her destiny:
Triumphing o'er the Foeman,
    Sealing that enmity
Promis'd of old to Satan,
    And to his crawling breed:
I will set war between ye,
    Thy seed and woman's seed.

Sheet Music from Richard Runciman Terry, Two Hundred Folk Carols (London: Burns Oates & Washbourne Limited, 1933), Carol #69, pp. 4-5.

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