Composition Details
- Composed by: Traditional English
- Arranged by: James Laster
- Published by: Treble Clef Publishing
- Cat No: TC-146
- Canadian Work: No
- Duration: 3:15
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Sample Tracks:
Recorded by Elektra
Performed in Concert
In Collections
Program Notes:
Thank the English for some of the world’s most upbeat Christmas melodies. This one shows us the life and works of Christ through the eyes of his mother Mary.
Conductor Notes:
An up-tempo, jaunty tune in 6/8 for 3-part treble choir and piano. The melody is consistent and easy to find, making this piece in G major a good choice for a joint concert between a women’s choir and a younger choir. The piano part is not too difficult. For the recording on the Chez Nous disc, I used solo voices for the opening verse.
Text:
The first good joy that 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, and blessed may he be: Sing Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, to all eternity. The next good joy that Mary had, it was the joy of two: To see her own son, Jesus Christ, to make the lame to go; To make the lame to go, good man, and blessed may he be: Sing Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, to all eternity. The next good joy that 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, and blessed may he be: Sing Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, to all eternity. The next good joy that 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, and blessed may he be: Sing Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, to all eternity. The next good joy that Mary had, it was the joy of five; To see her own son, Jesus Christ, to bring the dead alive; To bring the dead alive, good man, and blessed may he be: Sing Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, to all eternity. The next good joy that Mary had, it was the joy of six; To see her own son, Jesus Christ, upon the crucifix; Upon the crucifix and blessed may he be: Sing Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, to all eternity. The next good joy that 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, and blessed may he be: Sing Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, to all eternity.