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JOSEPH DEAREST

Scripture Verse

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

Introduction

Words: Orig­in­al­ly, a lul­la­by sung by the Vir­gin Ma­ry in 16th Cen­tu­ry mys­te­ry plays in Leip­zig, Ger­ma­ny.

Music: Re­so­net in Lau­di­bus 14th Cen­tu­ry Ger­man car­ol. Har­mo­ny by Ralph Vaugh­an Will­iams, 1906 (🔊 ).

portrait
Ralph Vaughan Williams
(1872–1958)

Lyrics

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