Said Judas to Mary

This folk-style hymn was written by English historian, folk-singer and song-writer Sydney Bertram Carter (1915-2004) - best known as the author of Lord of the Dance.   It was written in the early 1960s, and is based on John 12:1-8 - the story of Martha and Mary and the jar of ointment.

The song was first published in 1964 by the English-based Stainer & Bell Ltd, who continue to manage the copyright.

Hymn-books which it has been published in include:

• 20th Century Folk Hymnal volume 1

It is set to an unnamed tune, also by Carter. This has a 6/8 time signature. In the key of Em, the first few notes are B, EEE BBB AGF E  with accompanying chords Em / G / B / Em.    Sheet music for a setting of the song published by Augsburg Publishing is available from J W Pepper, and a simple piano score is also available from Hope Publishing.

Downloads

Examples

Church concert performance: quartet with guitar, piano, fiddle and dulcimer:

Solo singer with piano, professional recording:

Solo singer with light guitar backing:

Solo singer with mandolin:

Lyrics

The lyrics are copyright so cannot be reproduced here. But they are currently available on this website. A rough outline is:

1 Said Judas to Mary, "Now what will you do with your ointment so rich and so rare?"

2 "Oh Mary, Oh Mary, oh think of the poor -- this ointment, it could have been sold,

3 "Tomorrow, tomorrow I'll think of the poor tomorrow," she said, "not today ...

4 Said Jesus to Mary, "Your love is so deep today you may do as you will ...

5 "The poor of the world are my body,' he said ...

6 "My body will hang on the cross of the world tomorrow," he said, "not today ...

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• Hymns based on scripture