Grace and peace, everyone! It is the ex-Anglican newbie again.
Here is a Marian text I wrote, meter 8.7.8.7.8.7. I rather like it with GRAFTON; it also works with ST. THOMAS (Wade) and PANGE LINGUA, though the latter may well be what I call a "married tune"---something with which a text-writer does not mess. See what you think.
1. Blessed Mary ever-Virgin,
Rose of Israel in full bloom,
Mother to a world of sinners,
Theotokos, in Your womb
Christ of all the starry heavens
Came to make His earthly home.
2. Sinless one at Your conception,
Born to Joachim and Anne,
Never has a sweeter maiden
Lived on earth since time began;
Who else could have borne our Jesus,
Very God and very Man?
3. Virgin when betrothed to Joseph,
Virgin still in cattle-stall,
Virgin as Our Lord grew daily,
Virgin when He raised His call,
Virgin witness to His Passion,
Virgin Mother of us all:
4. When Your earthly life was ended,
Soul and body pure as light
Were assumed by God to Heaven,
Manifesting loving might;
How the angels bade You welcome,
How the saints sang their delight!
5. Now you reign as Queen of Heaven,
Light of Brother Sun Your gown,
Sister Moon Your path illumines
And twelve stars adorn Your crown;
Whirling planets pause in greeting,
Countless galaxies bow down.
6. Blessed Mary ever-Virgin,
Theotokos, grant this grace:
May our souls give birth to Jesus;
Make our lives His dwelling-place
Till like stars we rise to greet Him
And behold Him face to face.
(c) 2020 Anna Bendiksen (1969-)
Here is a Marian text I wrote, meter 8.7.8.7.8.7. I rather like it with GRAFTON; it also works with ST. THOMAS (Wade) and PANGE LINGUA, though the latter may well be what I call a "married tune"---something with which a text-writer does not mess. See what you think.
1. Blessed Mary ever-Virgin,
Rose of Israel in full bloom,
Mother to a world of sinners,
Theotokos, in Your womb
Christ of all the starry heavens
Came to make His earthly home.
2. Sinless one at Your conception,
Born to Joachim and Anne,
Never has a sweeter maiden
Lived on earth since time began;
Who else could have borne our Jesus,
Very God and very Man?
3. Virgin when betrothed to Joseph,
Virgin still in cattle-stall,
Virgin as Our Lord grew daily,
Virgin when He raised His call,
Virgin witness to His Passion,
Virgin Mother of us all:
4. When Your earthly life was ended,
Soul and body pure as light
Were assumed by God to Heaven,
Manifesting loving might;
How the angels bade You welcome,
How the saints sang their delight!
5. Now you reign as Queen of Heaven,
Light of Brother Sun Your gown,
Sister Moon Your path illumines
And twelve stars adorn Your crown;
Whirling planets pause in greeting,
Countless galaxies bow down.
6. Blessed Mary ever-Virgin,
Theotokos, grant this grace:
May our souls give birth to Jesus;
Make our lives His dwelling-place
Till like stars we rise to greet Him
And behold Him face to face.
(c) 2020 Anna Bendiksen (1969-)