Hail Mary Mother of God - McCann

This Marian hymn, which is particularly suitable for the feast of the Annunciation, was written by Roman Catholic priest (or perhaps at that time seminarian) John McCann (b 1961) in 1999 for the Dublin Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes.

Although it has the same title as the well-known prayer, the words of the hymn bring together a range of traditional titles for and images about Mary: it is not a setting of the prayer.

The hymn is included in the books:

The first one is still in print, and is likely the best source of sheet music for this hymn.

The hymn is written for processional use, with a cantor or choir singing the verses and the congregation responding with the chorus.

It is set to an unnamed tune, also by McCann. This has a 3/4 time signature (becoming 2/4 for a few measures in the verse). In the key of C, the first few notes are ...G c G cBA G_.

Song title superimposed on a painting of the Annunciation by Filippo Lippi (1406–1469) - Refrain: Hail Mary, Mother of God! Hail Mary, servant of the Lord. 1 Daughter of God's love, highly favoured, Welcoming God's word from the angel, You gave new life to the world; The son of God, the joy of our hearts. 2 Mother of kindness, faithful virgin, Pondering deeply God's compassion, You cared for Jesus your son, The light of the world, the Lord of all. 3 Sorrowful mother, deeply grieving, Shrine of the spirit, queen of glory, You shared the joy of your son, Who rose fro the dead to life without end. 4 Mother of Christians, gate of heaven, Mother of pilgrims, help your children: Open our hearts to the love of Jesus your son, the Holy One.

Downloads

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No downloadable versions have been found, of either performances or the sheet music. If you know where to find one, please leave a message in the Comments box near the bottom of the page.

Examples

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Lyrics

Refrain:
Hail Mary, Mother of God!
Hail Mary, servant of the Lord.

Daughter of God's love, highly favoured,
Welcoming God's word from the angel,
You gave new life to the world;
The son of God, the joy of our hearts.

Mother of kindness, faithful virgin,
Pondering deeply God's compassion,
You cared for Jesus your son,
The light of the world, the Lord of all.

Sorrowful mother, deeply grieving,
Shrine of the spirit, queen of glory,
You shared the joy of your son,
Who rose from the dead to life without end.

Mother of Christians, gate of heaven,
Mother of pilgrims, help your children:
Open our hearts to the love of
Jesus your son, the Holy One.