O Blessed St Joseph

This hymn about St Joseph was written by English hymn-writer, theologian, Roman Catholic convert and priest, Fr Frederick William Faber (1814-1863).

Tunes it is set to include a melody from Triet Gesangbauk (1872).

Hymn-books which it has been published in include:

• The St. Gregory Hymnal and Catholic Choir Book - 1920
• The Ordinary of the Mass and Complete Manual of Hymns for Parochial Schools, 1935
• The Holy Ghost Hymnal, 1954.

Downloads

PowerPoint slides with background picture

PowerPoint
slides

Examples

Small group of women singers, unaccompanied:

Lyrics

Traditional

O blessed St Joseph how great was thy worth.
The one chosen shadow of God upon earth,
The father of Jesus —ah then wilt thou be,
Sweet spouse of our Lady, a father to me.

For Thou to the pilgrim art Father and Guide,
And Jesus and Mary felt safe by Thy side;
Ah, Blessed Saint Joseph, how safe I should be,
Sweet spouse of our Lady! if Thou wert with me!

When The Treasures of God were unsheltered on earth,
Safekeeping was found for Them both in Thy worth:
O [Foster] Father of Jesus, be father to me,
Sweet spouse of our Lady! and I will love Thee

Modern English

O blessed St Joseph how great was your worth.
The one chosen shadow of God upon earth,
The father of Jesus —ah then you then be,
Sweet spouse of our Lady, a father to me.

For You to the pilgrim are Father and Guide,
And Jesus and Mary felt safe by Your side;
Ah, Blessed Saint Joseph, how safe I should be,
Sweet spouse of our Lady! if You were with me!

When the treasures of God were unsheltered on earth,
Safekeeping was found for Them both in Your worth:
O Father of Jesus, be father to me,
Sweet spouse of our Lady! and I will love Thee.

See more ...

• Hymns about St Joseph