The Seven Joys Of Mary

For Christmas.

Version 2

Words and Tune Traditional
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / PDF

Source: Martin Shaw and Percy Dearmer, The English Carol Book, First Series (London: A. R. Mowbray & Co. Ltd., 1913), Carol #26

1. The first good joy our Mary had,
It was the joy of one:
To see the blessed Jesus Christ
When he was first her son.
When he was first her son, good man:

Refrain
And blessed may he be,
Both Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
To all eternity.

2. The next good joy our Mary had,
It was he joy of two;
To see her own son Jesus Christ
To make the lame to go.
To make the lame to go, good man: Refrain

3. The next good joy our Mary had,
It was the joy of three;
To see her own son Jesus Christ
To make the blind to see.
To make the blind to see, good man: Refrain

4. The next good joy our Mary had,
It was the joy of four;
To see her own son Jesus Christ
To read the Bible o'er.
To read the Bible o'er, good man: Refrain

5. The next good joy our Mary had,
It was the joy of five;
To see her own son Jesus Christ
To raise the dead alive.
To raise the dead alive, good man: Refrain

6. The next good joy our Mary had,
It was the joy of six;
To see her own son Jesus Christ
To bear the Crucifix.
To bear the crucifix, good man: Refrain

7. The next good joy our Mary had,
It was the joy of seven;
To see her own son Jesus Christ
To wear the Crown of heaven.
To wear the Crown of heaven, good man: Refrain

Sheet Music from Martin Shaw and Percy Dearmer, The English Carol Book, First Series (London: A. R. Mowbray & Co., Ltd., 1913), Carol #26

Note:

There are numerous carols enumerating the joys of Mary (including five, seven, and 12), including.

1. Off The 5 Joyes Of Owr Lady (Wright, 1847)

2. The Ferst Joye As I Zu Telle ("Joyes Fyve") (Sandys, 1833)

3. The Ferste Joye, As I 3ou Telle (Wright, 1856)

4. The First Good Joy Our Mary Had (Sandys) (a.k.a. Joyes Seven; in total, 12 Joys - 7 from Sandys, 5 from Husk) (with sheet music and notes)

5. The Five Joys (Rickert)

6. The Five Joys of the Virgin (Wright, 1845)

7. The Seven Joys of Mary - Version 1 (Bramley & Stainer) (with sheet music)

8. The Seven Joys Of Mary - Version 2 (Shaw and Dearmer) (with sheet music) [this page]

9. The Seven Joys of Mary - RR Terry (with sheet music)

10. The Seven Joys Of Mary (John Jacob Niles) (with note)

11. The Seven Rejoices Of Mary (RR Terry)

12. The Ten Joys Of Christmas (Sharp) (with sheet music and note)

This is one of many "counting" songs among the hymns and carols of Christmas. See the notes to the Twelve Days of Christmas.

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