Hymns for the Feast of St Joseph, Husband of Mary (19 March)

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A selection of  hymns and songs, for the Solemnity of St Joseph of Nazareth, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Most are free-to-use (ie public domain or copyright-free), so the words can be copied and sung to at least one tune with no concerns about copyright or performance licensing. Many such hymns are old/traditional - but where possible a variety of styles / genres are included.

A small selection of hymns that are still copyright but particular suitable are also included.


About St Joseph, Husband of Mary

Joseph has two feasts: today, and 1 May - St Joseph the Worker. He was Jewish, the son of Jacob and descended from King David, and worked as a carpenter. A man of deep faith, he was open to receiving messages from God in dreams, dedicated to doing God’s will, and compassionate toward his betrothed.

He is regarded as patron of the Universal Church, as well as of many causes including workers, fathers, and a happy death, due to the tradition that he died in Jesus and Mary's arms.

There is a separate list of hymns about Joseph, which includes aspects of his life which are not related to this feast.


Readings

First: Samuel 7 - Nathan gives the Lord's message to David "I will preserve the offspring of your body and make his sovereignty secure ... I will be a father to him, and he a son to me".

Psalm 88 -. His dynasty shall last forever / I will sing forever of your love O Lord / I have made a covenant with my chosen / He will say to me "You are my Father"

Second: Romans 4 - Abraham believed in God, and became the father of many nations.

Gospel: 
Matt 1   This is how Jesus came to be born:   Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.  ... the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph and told him to take Mary to his home anyway.

OR

Luke 2  Jesus is accidentally left behind in the Temple when he is is 12:  when his parents found him, he said "Did you not know that I must be busy with my Father's affairs"



Themes

Joseph's life.   Faithfulness.   Obedience to God's will.



Free-use hymns


Great St Joseph, Son of David


O Blessed St Joseph

O Joseph, Heavenly Hosts Thy Worthiness Proclaim

Those who Love and Those who Labour

We Call on Thee Sweet St Joseph



Hymns that may still be copyright


Blessed Joseph Yours the Praise - Stanbrook Abbey

Come Now and Praise the Humble Saint - George W. Williams © 1979 The Hymn Society

Evening Hymn for St. Joseph - We praise you, Abba (Father), for that man - Ralph Wright OSB

Holy Joseph Intercessor - Phillips

Hymn for the Feast of St Joseph - Pluth

Joseph - Kearney

Joseph Be Our Guide and Pattern - Newton-White

Joseph of Nazareth You are the Man - Sommerville

Joseph's Song - Burland

Joseph was a Good Man - Walker

Joseph was an Honest Man - Pereira © Kevin Mayhew Ltd

Joseph be our Guide and Pattern

Lord Bid Your Servant Go in Peace  - James Quinn © Geoffrey Chapman Ltd

Lord Hear the Praises of Thy Faithful People - editors of the New English Hymnal (ref)

O Joseph Mighty Patron - Sr. Marie Michael

St Joseph, God has Chosen You

St Joseph, Great Protector - Alstott © 1977 OCP Publications

Saint Joseph, Mary's Faithful Spouse - Dufner

Song to St Joseph - Mangan

St Joseph was a Just Man - Omer Westendorf

The Hands That First Held Mary's Child - Thomas H. Troeger (1985)

To Joseph of Nazareth - Timothy Dudley-Smith




See also ....


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1 comment:

  1. UnknownFebruary 20, 2018 at 3:31 PM

    How about the beautiful song from Michael Card? - "Joseph's Song" where he ponders his role as father to the son of God.

    ReplyDelete

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