There is Nothing Told

This is a hymn about Mary, the mother of Jesus. The words are based on a French-language hymn, "Une femme dont on n'a rien dit" written by Roman Catholic (Jesuit) priest Didier Rimaud (1922-2003).  

The verses describe Mary's role in the key events in Jesus' life, while the chorus affirms that she is "nam[ed] ... happy and blessed".  This makes it suitable for pretty much any Marian feast, eg Mother of God, Lourdes, Annunciation, Visitation, Mother of the Church, Sorrows, Assumption, Immaculate Conception.

The song was translated to English by American Roman Catholic Jesuit priest, Christopher Willcock SJ (b 1947), and first published by OCP in 1988.

It is set to an unnamed tune, also by Willcock. This has a 4/4 time signature. In the key of D, the first few notes of the melody are  DE F A GFED E F  z FA B F GFED B,_  with accompanying chords D / G / D7 / F#m / Bm / Em / G.

Downloads

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Examples

Quartet with piano

Duet with piano, multi-track recording

Singer and choir with piano and saxophone, professional recording

Singer with guitar and backing track

Small choir with piano, words on-screen

Singer with keyboard and violin

Lyrics

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

1. There is nothing told about this woman, But that she had once become engaged ...

Chorus:
On this day all earth and all paradise
join in naming you happy and blessed;
Virgin Mary, blessed are you.

2. There is nothing told about this woman, but that she had brought into the world,

3. There is nothing told about this woman, gut that she had searched for three long days

4. There is nothing told about this woman, but that she at Cana was a guest,

5. There is nothing told about this woman, but that she was standing by the cross

6. There is nothing told about this woman, but that she was one in prayer with those ...

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• Hymns about Mary

Image adapted from PickPik - royalty free

KEEP IN CASE ORIGINAL IS REMOVED, BUT DO NOT DISPLAY 1. There is nothing told about this woman,
But that she had once become engaged,
And an angel addressed her and said:
"You are blessed among all your kind."

Chorus:
On this day all earth and all paradise
join in naming you happy and blessed;
Virgin Mary, blessed are you.

2. There is nothing told about this woman,
But that she had brought into the world,
In the land of Judea, her son;
For some shepherds have passed on this tale.

3. There is nothing told about this woman,
But that she had searched for three long days
For her child who was busy elsewhere,
And her heart then did not understand.

4. There is nothing told about this woman,
But that she at Cana was a guest,
And that Jesus changed water to wine,
So that all might believe who he was.

5. There is nothing told about this woman,
But that she was standing by the cross
When her son stretched his arms out on high.
And met death with a thief on each side.

6. There is nothing told about this woman,
But that she was one in prayer with those
Upon whom tongues of fire did descend,
And the Spirit baptized them with flame.