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The Seven Joys of Mary

[ Roud 278 ; Ballad Index FO211 ; trad.]

June Tabor and Maddy Prior sang this English Christmas traditional in 1976 on their album Silly Sisters. The album's sleeve notes commented:

Learned from Vic Legge of Bodmin. Arrangement by John Gillaspie, folklorist of this parish, who informs us that verse six is an interpolation from the Seven Dolours of Mary.

Lyrics

The first good joy that Mary had
It was the joy of one
To see the blessed Jesus Christ
When he was first her son

Chorus (after each verse repeating its last line)

When he was first her son, good man
And blessed may he be
Both Father, Son and Holy Ghost
To an eternity

The next good joy that Mary had
It was the joy of two
To see her own son Jesus Christ
To make the lame to go

The next good joy that Mary had
It was the joy of three
To see her own son Jesus Christ
To make the blind to see

The next good joy that Mary had
It was the joy of four
To see her own son Jesus Christ
To read the bible o'er

The next good joy that Mary had
It was the joy of five
To see her own son Jesus Christ
To bring the dead alive

The next good joy that Mary had
It was the joy of six
To see her own son Jesus Christ
Upon the crucifix

The last good joy that Mary had
It was the joy of seven
To see her own son Jesus Christ
To wear the crown of heaven