She Walked in the Summer / The Visit

Rembrandt's painting of Mary's visitation to Elizabeth: 1 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. She carried the Sun. 2 Fresh as a flower at the first ray of dawn She came to her cousin, whose morning had gone. There leaped a little child in the ancient womb And there leaped a little hope in every ancient tomb. 3 Hail, little sister you herald the spring. Hail, brave mother, you carried our King. Hail to the Moment beneath your breast. May all generations call you blessed. 4 When you walk in the summer through the heat on the hill When you’re one with the wind, and one with God’s will, Be glad with the burden you are blessed to bear. For it’s Christ who 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 Winter's books, including Songlines: Hymns, Songs, Rounds and Refrains for Prayer and Praise.

It was also included in the book Voices United published in 1996 by The United Church Publishing House, Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada - and still available from Amazon.

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 no sources of sheet music have been located, apart from the books mentioned above. Please leave a comment below if you are aware of any places where it is available.

Downloads

Lyrics

The 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...