Dear Guardian (Husband) of Mary

This is a hymn about St Joseph 

The words were written by English hymn-writer, theologian, Roman Catholic convert and priest, Fr Frederick William Faber (1814-1863).

It was originally published in 1850, and was in a number of hymnals between then and 1950. It appears to be rarely published today, but YouTube shows it is still being used in some places.

The original text first line and title was "Dear guardian of Mary", but the term husband is more commonly used today.

With meter 6.5.6.5.D., tunes it is set to include:
  • PADERBORN, a German melody from the 18th century


Downloads



Examples

Duet with electronic organ:


Choir with organ:


Singer, unaccompanied:


Contemporary style professional recording - tune by Fr. J. Roel Lungay, 2017.


Choir with guitar:


Instrumental - piano:


Lyrics

Traditional language

Dear guardian of Mary, dear nurse of her child!
Life's ways are full weary, the desert is wild;
Bleak sands are all 'round us, no home can we see;
Sweet spouse of our Lady, we lean upon thee.

For thou to the pilgrim art father and guide,
And Jesus and Mary felt safe by thy side;
Ah, blessed Saint Joseph, how safe I should be,
Sweet spouse of our Lady, If thou wert with me!

O blessed Saint Joseph, how great was thy worth,
The one chosen shadow of God upon earth,
The father of Jesus, ah, then wilt thou be,
Sweet spouse of our Lady, a father to me?

Thou hast not forgotten the long, dreary road,
When Mary took turns with thee, bearing thy God;
Yet light was that burden, none lighter could be;
Sweet spouse of our Lady, oh, canst thou bear me?

God chose thee for Jesus and Mary; wilt thou
Forgive a poor exile, for choosing thee now?
There is no saint in heaven I worship like thee;
Sweet spouse of our Lady, ah, deign to love me!


Modern English

Dear husband of Mary, dear nurse of her Child!
Life's ways are full weary, the desert is wild;
Bleak sands are all 'round us, no home can we see;
Sweet spouse of our Lady, we lean upon thee.

For you to the pilgrim are father and guide,
And Jesus and Mary felt safe by your side;
Ah, blessed Saint Joseph, how safe I should be,
Sweet spouse of our Lady, If you were with me!

O blessed Saint Joseph, how great was your worth,
The one chosen shadow of God upon earth,
The father of Jesus, ah, then will you be,
Sweet spouse of our Lady, a father to me?

Your have not forgotten the long, dreary road,
When Mary took turns with you, bearing your God;
Yet light was that burden, none lighter could be;
Sweet spouse of our Lady, oh, can you bear me?

God chose you for Jesus and Mary; will you
Forgive a poor exile, for choosing you now?
There is no saint in heaven I worship like thee;
Sweet spouse of our Lady, ah, deign to love me!


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