It appears to be a variation of a similar hymn from in the "The Sodalist's Hymnal" in 1887, which has similar words, but no refrain. It was included in 1900 Catholic School and Sodality Hymn Book (ref) under the title "Daily Hymn to Mary". Based on these publication-dates, they words are assumed to now be in the public domain.
Another version was published in the 1913 American Catholic Hymnal, written by English hymn-writer, theologian, Roman Catholic convert and priest, Fr Frederick William Faber (1814-1863): this uses part of one verse for the refrain, and does not include the reference to "Mary shield us from danger".
An excerpt from it was also included as a poem attributed to George S. Brady in a book titled by Mary in Song and Prayer, published in Virginia, USA in 1972 (ref).
With meter 65 65 with refrain, different tunes have been used in each of the publications listed above - and apparently none of them have been given a name.
From thy heavenly height,
Look on us, thy children,
Lost in earth's dark night.
Chorus:
Oh! we pray thee, loved Mary,
Mary, fondly we entreat,
Guide us to our Sweet Saviour,
And leave us at His feet.
Mary shield us from danger,
Keep our souls from sin,
Help thy exiled children,
Heaven at last to win.
Mary, purest creature,
Keep us all from sin;
Help us erring mortals
Peace in Heav'n to win
Daughter of the Father,
Lady, kind and sweet,
Lead us to our Father,
Leave us at His feet.
Oh, we love thee, Mary,
Trusting all to thee;
What is past or present,
What is yet to be.
Mother of our Saviour,
Hear our pleading pray'r;
Take us 'neath thy mantle,
Hide, oh, hide us there!
Oh, not yet, sweet Mother,
Is our love of thee;
What it will be one day,
In eternity.
From thy heavenly height,
Look on us, thy children,
Lost in earth's dark night.
Chorus:
Mary, purest creature,
Keep us all from sin;
Help us erring mortals
Peace in Heav'n to win
Daughter of the Father,
Lady, kind and sweet,
Lead us to our Father,
Leave us at His feet.
Holy Queen of Angels,
Bid thine Angels come,
To escort us safely
To our heavenly home.
Bid the Saints in Heaven,
Pray for us their prayers;
They are thine dear Mother,
That thou may'st be theirs.
Mother of our Saviour
Joy of God above,
Jesus bade us keep thee,
In his fear and love.
Mary, Spouse and servant
Of the Holy Ghost;
Keep for him his creatures,
Who would else be lost.
Oh, we love thee, Mary,
Trusting all to thee;
What is past or present,
What is yet to be.
Get us what Thou pleasest
What we cannot know;
What we are most needing,
Every day below.
Sweeter still and sweeter,
Doust thou grow to us;
Will it dearest Mother,
Evermore be thus?
O not yet, sweet Mother,
Is our love of thee,
What it will be one day,
In eternity.
An excerpt from it was also included as a poem attributed to George S. Brady in a book titled by Mary in Song and Prayer, published in Virginia, USA in 1972 (ref).
With meter 65 65 with refrain, different tunes have been used in each of the publications listed above - and apparently none of them have been given a name.
Downloads
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Examples
Solo singer with electronic keyboard
Choir and congregation with electronic organ, live in a church service
Lyrics
from the 1900 Catholic School and Sodality Hymn Book
Mary, dearest Mother,From thy heavenly height,
Look on us, thy children,
Lost in earth's dark night.
Chorus:
Oh! we pray thee, loved Mary,
Mary, fondly we entreat,
Guide us to our Sweet Saviour,
And leave us at His feet.
Mary shield us from danger,
Keep our souls from sin,
Help thy exiled children,
Heaven at last to win.
Mary, purest creature,
Keep us all from sin;
Help us erring mortals
Peace in Heav'n to win
Daughter of the Father,
Lady, kind and sweet,
Lead us to our Father,
Leave us at His feet.
Oh, we love thee, Mary,
Trusting all to thee;
What is past or present,
What is yet to be.
Mother of our Saviour,
Hear our pleading pray'r;
Take us 'neath thy mantle,
Hide, oh, hide us there!
Oh, not yet, sweet Mother,
Is our love of thee;
What it will be one day,
In eternity.
From the American Catholic Hymnal 1913
Mary, dearest Mother,From thy heavenly height,
Look on us, thy children,
Lost in earth's dark night.
Chorus:
Mary, purest creature,
Keep us all from sin;
Help us erring mortals
Peace in Heav'n to win
Daughter of the Father,
Lady, kind and sweet,
Lead us to our Father,
Leave us at His feet.
Holy Queen of Angels,
Bid thine Angels come,
To escort us safely
To our heavenly home.
Bid the Saints in Heaven,
Pray for us their prayers;
They are thine dear Mother,
That thou may'st be theirs.
Mother of our Saviour
Joy of God above,
Jesus bade us keep thee,
In his fear and love.
Mary, Spouse and servant
Of the Holy Ghost;
Keep for him his creatures,
Who would else be lost.
Oh, we love thee, Mary,
Trusting all to thee;
What is past or present,
What is yet to be.
Get us what Thou pleasest
What we cannot know;
What we are most needing,
Every day below.
Sweeter still and sweeter,
Doust thou grow to us;
Will it dearest Mother,
Evermore be thus?
O not yet, sweet Mother,
Is our love of thee,
What it will be one day,
In eternity.
where can I obtain the music for the hymn "Mary Dearest Mother" from the 1900 Catholic School and Sodality Hymn Book
ReplyDeleteHi Kathy
DeleteAs far as I can tell, the 1900 Catholic School and Sodality Hymn Book was a words-only edition: I haven't been able to locate any copies with notation.
Thank you. I figured that since someone posted the example of "Mary Dearest Mother" with the tune I am looking forward to, that someone may know who to contact to get this version of the music. I'm talking about the example with the solo singer and electronic keyboard backing.
ReplyDeleteAny help is appreciated. This is a hymn my mom wants at her funeral and she is now in hospice.
Kathy
Mother Dearest Mother Fairest
ReplyDeleteis a much better old hymn
(source of all who call on Thee..........
Help us in all care and sorrow Mary help us. help we pray
Mother Dearest Mother Fairest
ReplyDeletesourcve of all who call on Thee,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Help us in all care and sorrow. Mary help us help we pray
is a much better Old Marian hymn
Oh yes, Mother Dearest Mother Fairest is a very beautiful hymn for sure!
ReplyDeleteJust love it!
I've been doing some research on this hymn. The melody featured in the video above on this page, first appeared in the WREATH OF MARY, 1883 hymnal compiled by the Sisters of Notre Dame of Cincinnati, Ohio. The melody is attributed to a German Air. Several melodies have been composed but the melody that has become traditional is taken from the WREATH OF MARY. The hymn text we sing today was adapted from the hymn written by Fr. Frederick Faber by the Sisters of Notre Dame. Fr. Faber's original text and can be found in his collection of HYMNS published in 1861. The hymn has appeared in other Catholic hymnals including St. Basil's Hymnal's, the American Catholic Hymnal, the Alverno Hymnal and several others both American and English.
ReplyDelete