The St. Gregory Hymnal and Catholic Choir Book Part 25

THE BLESSED VIRGIN

O purest of creatures

The Immaculate Conception Father Faber Nicola A. Montani

Slowly

1.

O purest of the creatures! Sweet Mother, sweet maid!

The one spotless womb wherein Jesus was laid!

Dark night hath come down on us Mother! And we Look out for thy s.h.i.+ning, sweet Star of the Sea!

Look out for thy s.h.i.+ning, sweet Star of the Sea!

2.

Deep night hath come down on this rough-spoken world, And the banners of darkness are boldly unfurl'd: And the tempest-tost Church all her eyes are on Thee, They look to thy s.h.i.+ning, sweet Star of the Sea!

They look to thy s.h.i.+ning, sweet Star of the Sea!

3.

The Church doth what G.o.d had first taught her to do; He looked o'er the world to find hearts that were true; Thro' the ages He looked, and He found none but thee, And He loved thy clear s.h.i.+ning, sweet Star of the Sea!

And He loved thy clear s.h.i.+ning, sweet Star of the Sea!

4.

He gazed on thy soul; it was spotless and fair; For the empire of sin it had never been there; None had ever owned thee, dear Mother, but He, And He bless'd thy clear s.h.i.+ning, sweet Star of the Sea!

And He bless'd thy clear s.h.i.+ning, sweet Star of the Sea!

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No. 80

THE BLESSED VIRGIN

Whither thus, in holy rapture?

Quo sanctus ardor te rapit

The Visitation Translated by the Rev. E. Caswall from a Slovak Hymnal Arr. by N. A. M.

Joyously

1.

Wither thus in holy rapture, Royal maiden, art thou bent?

Why so fleetly art thou speeding Up the mountain's rough ascent?

Filled with th'Eternal G.o.dhead!

Glowing with the Spirit's flame!

Love it is that bears the onward, And supports thy tender frame.

2.

Lo thine aged cousin claims thee, Claims thy sympathy and care; G.o.d her shame from her hath taken, He hath heard her fervent pray'r.

Blessed Mothers! Joyful meeting!

Thou in her, the hand of G.o.d, She in thee, with lips inspired, Owns the Mother of her Lord.

3.

As the sun, his face concealing, In a cloud withdraws from sight, So in Mary then lay hidden He Who is the world's true light.

Honor, glory, virtue, merit, Be to Thee, O Virgin's Son!

With the Father, and the Spirit, While eternal ages run.

Page 124-125

No. 81

THE BLESSED VIRGIN

Hail Virgin, dearest Mary

Queen of May S. M. Venn

Moderato

1.

Hail Virgin, dearest Mary!

Our lovely Queen of May!

A spotless, blessed Lady, Our lovely Queen of May.

Thy children, humbly bending, Surround thy shrine so dear; With heart and voice ascending, Sweet Mary, hear our pray'r.

2.

Behold earth's blossoms springing In beauteous form and hue.

All nature gladly bring Her sweetest charms to you.

We'll gather fresh, bright flowers, To bind our fair queen's brow; From gay and verdant bowers, We haste to crown thee now.

3.

Hail Virgin, dearest Mary!

Our lovely Queen of May, O spotless blessed Lady, Our lovely Queen of May.

And now, our blessed Mother, Smile on our festal day; Accept our wreath of flowers, And be our Queen of May.

By permission Copyright 1920 by S. M. Yenn

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