Though Fair the Land

This is a hymn about St Joseph as father of Jesus, spouse of Mary and patron of good deaths.

The words were written by Scottish Roman Catholic teacher, priest and military chaplain, Joseph McHardy (1874-1966) -ref.

It is set to an unnamed tune by  Scottish Roman Catholic priest, teacher and composer Frances (Frank) Duffy (1914-2000).

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Lyrics

Though fair the land that gave you birth,
renowned your royal line on earth, chaste son of Israel;
’twas not from these your glory came
But from the Child whom angels named Jesus Emmanuel.

That child was God, whose infant hand
the mighty universe has planned and rules its destiny;
Yet subject to his creature’s will
he learned from you the craftsman’s skill and taught humility.

When doubting fears your soul had riven
God sent his messenger from Heaven to calm your mental strife;
So may our homes that peace obtain
where Jesus and his Mother reign in perfect family life.

From out your home the new-born light
came swelling o’er the world’s dark night enlight’ning every man;
God’s life o’erflowed at Mary’s word
and from her arms he blessed the world her reign on earth began.

To you, the guardian of that child,
to you, the spouse of Mary mild, the Church high honour pays;
your living faith and confidence
in God’s abiding providence be light in our dark days.

O Jesus, grant us, Mary, pray
when death shall come at close of day our souls,
St Joseph, dear anointed and absolved from sin
before our Judge, and pardon win, through his paternal care.

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• Hymns about St Joseph

KEEP IN CASE ORIGINAL IS REMOVED, BUT DO NOT DISPLAY Though fair the land that gave you birth,
renowned your royal line on earth, chaste son of Israel;
’twas not from these your glory came
But from the Child whom angels named Jesus Emmanuel.

That child was God, whose infant hand
the mighty universe has planned and rules its destiny;
Yet subject to his creature’s will
he learned from you the craftsman’s skill and taught humility.

When doubting fears your soul had riven
God sent his messenger from Heaven to calm your mental strife;
So may our homes that peace obtain
where Jesus and his Mother reign in perfect family life.

From out your home the new-born light
came swelling o’er the world’s dark night enlight’ning every man;
God’s life o’erflowed at Mary’s word
and from her arms he blessed the world her reign on earth began.

To you, the guardian of that child,
to you, the spouse of Mary mild, the Church high honour pays;
your living faith and confidence
in God’s abiding providence be light in our dark days.

O Jesus, grant us, Mary, pray
when death shall come at close of day our souls,
St Joseph, dear anointed and absolved from sin
before our Judge, and pardon win, through his paternal care.