JOSEPH DEAREST
"Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife,
for what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit." Matthew 1:20
Words: Originally sung as a lullaby by the Virgin Mary in 16th Century
mystery plays in Leipzig, Germany.
Music: "Resonet in Laudibus" (Let Our Praises Resound), 14th Century
German carol; harmony by Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1906.
"Joseph dearest, Joseph mine,
Help me cradle the child divine;
God reward thee and all that's thine
In paradise," so prays the mother Mary.
Refrain
He came among us at Christmastide,
At Christmastide, in Bethlehem;
Men shall bring Him from far and wide
Love's diadem: Jesus, Jesus,
Lo, He comes, and loves, and saves, and frees us!
"Gladly, dear one, lady mine,
Help I cradle this child of thine;
God's own light on us both shall shine
In paradise, as prays the mother Mary."
Refrain