Hail Holy Joseph Hail

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

With meter 6.6.6.6 D, tunes it is set to include:

• ST GALL, 1863 - or an unnamed tune from St Gall, used in the The St. Gregory Hymnal and Catholic Choir Book, 1920 - this appears to be widely used still.
• LAMBILLOTTE, by Louis Lambilotte (1796-1855).
• KINGSLAND by W. Boyce (1710-1779)
• An unnamed tune by Maria Jung Und Zart, from Gesangbuch, Cologne 1623
• An unnamed tune by I Müller
• An unnamed tune by H Whitehead

Downloads

Sheet music (keyboard) from the St Gregory hymnal

PowerPoint slides

Examples

Unaccompanied singer, tune by Maria Jung Und Zart

Solo singer with light piano, tune ST GALL:

Small church choir with organ, tune ST GALL:

Choir of elderly nuns with organ accompaniment, tune ST GALL:

Choir with light orchestration - professional recording:

Classical guitar - tune ST GALL:

Lyrics

Hail, holy Joseph, hail!
Chaste spouse of Mary hail!
Pure as the lily flow'r
In Eden's peaceful vale.
Hail, holy Joseph, hail!
Prince of the house of God!
May His best graces be
By thy sweet hands bestowed.

Hail, holy Joseph, hail!
Comrade of angels, hail!
Cheer thou the hearts that faint,
And guide the steps that fail.
Hail, holy Joseph, hail!
God's choice wert thou alone!
To thee the Word made flesh,
Was subject as a Son.

Hail, holy Joseph, hail!
Teach us our flesh to tame,
And, Mary, keep the hearts
That love thy husband's name.
Mother of Jesus! bless,
And bless, ye saints on high,
All meek and simple souls
That to Saint Joseph cry.

See more ...

• Hymns about St Joseph