111

They tell us of that Paradise

Of everlasting rest,

And that high Tree all flowers and fruits,
The sweetest yet the best.

CHORUS

O Mary, pure and beautiful,
Thou art the Queen of May;
Our garlands wear about thy head,
And they will ne'er decay.

THE CLOUDS HANG THICK O'ER

ISRAEL'S CAMP

'HE clouds hang thick o'er Israel's camp,

THE

As dawns the battle day,

Arise! bright Star of Dominic,

And chase the gloom away;

And where the foemen fiercest press,

Thy radiance let us see;

Shine o'er the banners of thy sons,
And lead to victory.

2. The weapon which our Father gave
Each hand shall fearless wield;

Who bear our Lady's Rosary
Need neither sword nor shield:

With dauntless faith the ranks they face
Of error and of sin,

And, armed with those blest beads alone,
The victory they win.

3. See o'er Lepanto's waters spread
The Moslem's dark array:

A voice to Christendom went forth,
And gave the word to pray:

Jesus and Mary! names of strength
Invoked, and not in vain;

They conquered in the hour of need,
And conquer shall again.

4. As Pius then to Europe spake,
So Leo speaks once more;
The rosary our weapon still,
To wield in holy war:

Ave Maria! from each tongue
Shall rise the pleading word;
Oh, doubt not that the prayer of faith
Will now, as then, be heard.

112

O SANCTISSIMA, O PIISSIMA
SANCTISSIMA, O piissima,
Dulcis Virgo Maria,

Mater amata, intemerata,
Ora, ora pro nobis.

2. Tota pulchra es, O Maria,
Et macula non est in te,
Mater amata, intemerata,
Ora, ora pro nobis.

3. Sicut lilium inter spinas,
Sic Maria inter filias.
Mater amata, intemerata,
Ora, ora pro nobis.

4. In miseria, in angustia,
Ora, Virgo, pro nobis,

Pro nobis ora, in mortis hora,
Ora, ora pro nobis.

113

O MOTHER BLEST

MOTHER blest! whom God bestows
On sinners and on just,

What joy, what hope thou givest those
Who in thy mercy trust.

CHORUS

Most holy Mary! at thy feet
Thy children bend a suppiiant knee;
Dear Mother of my God,

Do thou remember me.

2. Remember, Mary, Virgin fair,
It never yet was told

That he who humbly sought thy care,
Departed unconsoled.

3. O Mother blest! for me obtain,
Ungrateful though I be,

To love that God, Who first could deign
To show such love to me.

114

ON

ON THIS DAY, O BEAUTIFUL
MOTHER

N this day, O beautiful Mother,
On this day we give thee our love.
Near thee, Madonna, fondly we hover,
Trusting thy gentle care to prove.

1. On this day we ask to share,
Dearest Mother, thy sweet care;
Aid us ere our feet astray

Wander from thy guiding way.-Chorus.

2. Queen of angels deign to hear
Lisping children's humble pray'r;
Young hearts gain, O Virgin pure,
Sweetly to thyself allure.-Chorus.

3. Rose of Sharon, lovely flow'r, Beauteous bud of Eden's bow'r, Cherished lily of the vale,

Virgin Mother, Queen we hail.-Chorus.

4. In vain the flow'rs of love we bring,
In vain sweet music's note we sing,
If contrite heart and lowly prayer,
Guide not our gifts to thy bright sphere.-Chorus.

5. Fast our days of life we run,

Soon the night of death will come;

Tower of strength in that dread hour,
Come with all thy gentle power.—Chorus.

115

CONSECRATION TO OUR LADY

DAUGHTER of God the Father,
0 pure and mild;

I venerate and love thee,
Accept me for thy child;
My soul and all its powers
I consecrate to thee;

Be pleased, most holy Mother,
From sin to keep me free,
Be pleased, most holy Mother,
To pray our Lord for me.

2. Mother of our Redeemer,

O Virgin pure and mild;
I venerate and love thee,
Accept me for thy child;
My body and its senses,
I consecrate to thee;
Be pleased, most holy Mother,
From sin to keep me free,
Be pleased, most holy Mother,
To pray our Lord for me.

3. Spouse of the Holy Spirit,
O Virgin pure and mild;
I venerate and love thee,
Accept me for thy child;
My heart and its affections,
I consecrate to thee;
Be pleased, most holy Mother,
To pray our Lord for me.

116

O

OH, VISION BRIGHT

H, vision bright!

The land of light

Beams goldenly beyond the sky!

Heav'nly fires

'Bove angel choirs,

Mary, our Mother, reigns on high.

2. Oh, vision bright!

The Father's might,

All round His daughter's throne doth lie, In the balm

Of endless calm,

Mary, our Mother, reigns on high.