The Seven Joys of Mary

Sung in taverns during the carefree Ages of Faith...

The first good joy that Mary had, it was the joy of one,

To see her own son Jesus Christ, when He was first her son;

(All) When He was first her son, good men, and happy may we be-e-e-e-e (raise tankards)...

Pra-a-a-aise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, for all eternity.

The next good joy that Mary had, it was the joy of two,

To see her own son Jesus Christ, a-making the lame to go:

(All) A-making the lame to go, good men, and happy may we be-e-e-e-e (raise tankards)...

Pra-a-a-aise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, for all eternity.

The next good joy that Mary had, it was the joy of three,

To see her own son Jesus Christ, a-making the blind to see;

(All) A--making the blind to see, good men, and happy may we be-e-e-e-e (raise tankards)...

Pra-a-a-aise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, for all eternity.

The next good joy that Mary had, it was the joy of four,

To see her own son Jesus Christ, a-reading the Bible o'er;

(All) A-reading the Bible o'er, good men, and happy may we be-e-e-e-e (raise tankards)...

Pra-a-a-aise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, for all eternity.

The next good joy that Mary had, it was the joy of five,

To see her own son Jesus Christ, a-raising the dead alive;

(All) A-raising the dead alive, good men, and happy may we be-e-e-e-e (raise tankards)...

Pra-a-a-aise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, for all eternity.

The next good joy that Mary had, it was the joy of six,

To see her own son Jesus Christ, upon the crucifix;

(All) Upon the crucifix, good men, and happy may we be-e-e-e-e (raise tankards)...

Pra-a-a-aise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, for all eternity.

The last good joy that Mary had, it was the joy of seven,

To see her own son Jesus Christ, ascending into Heaven;

(All) Ascending into Heaven, good men, and happy may we be-e-e-e-e (raise tankards)...

Pra-a-a-aise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, for all eternity.

Author unknown. Traditional Christmas carol, sung around the British Isles in English and Irish