She Walked in the Summer / The Visit

She walked in the summer through the heat on the hill. She hurried as one who went with a will. She danced in the sunlight when the day was done. Her heart knew no evening who carried the sun. Fresh as a flower at the first ray of dawn, She came to her cousin whose morning was gone. There leaped a little child in the ancient womb, And there leaped a little hope in every ancient tomb. Hail, little sister, who heralds the spring. Hail, brave mother, of whom prophets sing. Hail to the moment beneath your breast. May all generations call you blessed. When you walk in the summer through the heat on the hill, When you’re wound with the wind and one with Her will, Be brave with the burden you are blessed to bear, For it’s Christ that you carry everywhere, everywhere, everywhere.

This hymn, about Mary's visit to Elizabeth, was written by Medical Mission Sister Miriam Therese Winter for the feast of The Visitation, and first published in 1968.

It was updated in 1987 to use more inclusive language, and included in several of her books, including Songlines: Hymns, Songs, Rounds and Refrains for Prayer and Praise.

The tune is called simply VISIT. It has 3/4 time signature, and is published in the key of G with the first note of D.

It is not included on any of Winter's own CDs, and sources of sheet music have been located. Please leave a comment below if you are aware of any places where it is available.

Downloads

Lyrics

The full lyrics cannot be given here, because they are still copyright. However they are available on this website.

The song are four verses, each with four lines. A brief outline is:

1 She walked in the summer through the heat on the hill ...

2 Fresh as a flower at the first ray of dawn ...

3 Hail, little sister, who heralds the spring ...

4 When you walk in the summer through the heat on the hill...

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