The word were written by English hymn-writer, theologian, Roman Catholic convert and priest, Fr Frederick William Faber (1814-1863), and included in his first collection "St. Wilfrid's Hymns" in 1849.
There is also an alternative version of the lyrics, with different words in the verses (author unknown), which has been used in some schools and convents run by the Sisters of Mercy in Australia and New Zealand. If you have any more information about these, please leave a message in the Comments box near the bottom of the page.
The hymn was published in a number of books between 1850 and 1925.
It has been set to a number of different tunes, with no one tune appearing more-commonly used.
Downloads
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Examples
Unaccompanied chant setting:
Lyrics
Original version
Original English
My love of thee grows more and more;
Thy gifts are strewn upon my way
Like sands upon the great sea-shore.
Though poverty and work and woe
The masters of my life may be,
When times are worst, who does not know
Darkness is light with love of thee?
But scornful men have coldly said
Thy love was leading me from God;
And yet in this I did but tread
The very path my Saviour trod.
They know but little of thy worth
Who speak these heartless words to me;
For what did Jesus love on earth
One half so tenderly as thee?
Get me the grace to love thee more;
Jesus will give if thou wilt plead;
And, Mother! when life’s cares are o’er,
O I shall love thee then indeed!
Jesus, when His three hours were run,
Bequeath’d thee from the cross to me;
And O! how can I love thy Son,
Sweet Mother! if I love not thee?
Modern English
Mother of Mercy, day by dayMy love of you grows more and more;
Your gifts are strewn up on my way,
Like sands upon the great seashore.
Though poverty and work and woe
The masters of my life may be,
When times are worst, who does not know,
Darkness is light with love of you?
But scornful men have coldly said
Your love was leading me from God;
And yet in this I did but tread,
The very path my Saviour trod.
Get me the grace to love you more;
Jesus will give if you do plead;
And, Mother, when life's cares are o'er,
Oh, I shall love you then indeed.
Alternative version
Mother of Mercy, day by dayMy love of thee grows more and more;
Thy gifts are strewn up on my way,
Like sands upon the great seashore.
Mary with you we praise our God,
His kindness and fidelity.
Great is His mercy, Oh how great,
His love endures eternally.
Mary, you pondered deep and long
God's mercy you knew well indeed.
Proud hearted ones He does reject,
But comes to those who own their need.
Great wonders did He work in you,
Handmaiden lowly, who believed,
All generations call you blest,
For you the Son of God conceived.
Through you, Our Saviour came to us,
Now sinners share His life Divine.
Mother of Mercy - rightly called,
Our grateful love and praise are thine.
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