Selwyn Image (1849–1930)

“HAIL! Lady Mary!” said Gabriel:

Sing all the world, and all the world:

“God sends me now good news to tell.”

“And what is the news, O Gabriel?”

“Lady Mary, God gives you grace”;

Sing all the world, and all the world:

“For a Child you shall bear within a space,

And look on God to His very face.”

“Nay, Gabriel, how may this thing be?”

Sing all the world, and all the world:

“Since there’s never a man that knoweth me,”

Said Gabriel, “Sooth, and you shall see.”

The Lady Mary, she bowed her head;

Sing all the world, and all the world:

Nor ever an answer more she said,

Till all things were accomplishèd.

For the Lady Mary, she bare her Son:

Sing all the world, and all the world:

When the day’s full course at length was run,

God’s Self was born for her Little One.

Then the Lady Mary, she wept and spake;

Sing all the world, and all the world:

“I have borne my Child for the world’s sake,

And the cruel world His life will take!”

But the Lady Mary, she laughed and said,

Sing all the world, and all the world:

“My Child shall rise again from the dead,

Lord of all by His great Godhead!”

Now, Lady Mary, we pray you say,

Sing all the world, and all the world:

Some gracious thing to your Son that day,

When we, poor creatures, pass away.

Yea, Lady Mary, Mother of God,

Save us from sin’s rod!

Lady Mary, Mother of Grace,

Bend on us your sweet face!

O Lady Mary, bring us at length

By strength of Jesus to Jesus’ strength!
Amen.