Sing we all the joys and sorrows
which in Mary's heart were found;
to her fame our voices raising
let consenting praise abound:
so do bird of night and morning
make their mingled songs resound.
Through the guest-throng at the banquet
undismayed she sought her Lord;
cleansing tears and salving ointments
lowly on his feet she poured,
wiped them with her hair, obtaining
by her love the great reward.
Deigns the Cleanser to be cleansed;
stoops the Source to find the flow;
drains the Flower in outpoured fragrance
perfume which its heart let go:
heavens which have rained their bounty
drink the dew from earth below!
There in box of alabaster,
bearing nard of fragrance pure,
she with gift of outpoured sweetness
bids the mystic sign endure:
seeking from anointment healing,
lo, the sick anoints the Cure!
Dearly then for that dear offering
did our Lord in love repay:
since so perfect her devotion,
all her sins he put away:
made her be his own forerunner
on his Resurrection day.
Now be glory, laud and honor
unto him the Paschal Host,
who, in war with Death a Lion,
as a Lamb gave up the ghost,
and the third day rose a Victor
crowned with spoils that Death had lost.