To a Maid Engaged to Joseph

To a maid en­gaged to Jo­seph

The an­gel Ga­bri­el came.

Fear not

the an­gel told her

“I come to bring good news

Good news I come to tell you

Good news

I say

good news.

For you are high­ly fa­vored

By the God the Lord of all

Who ev­en now is with you.

You are on earth most blest

You are most blest

most bless­èd

God chose you

you are blest!

But Ma­ry was most trou­bled

To hear the an­gel’s word.

What was the an­gel say­ing?

It trou­bled her to hear

To hear the an­gel’s mes­sage

It trou­bled her to hear.

Fear not

for God is with you

And you shall bear a child.

His name shall be called Je­sus

God’s off­spring from on high.

And he shall reign for­ev­er

Forever reign on high.

How shall this be? said Ma­ry

I am not yet a wife.

The angel an­swered quick­ly

The pow­er of the Most High

Will come up­on you short­ly

Your child will be God’s child.

As Ma­ry heard the an­gel

She won­dered at his words.

Behold

I am your hand­maid

She said un­to her God.

So be it; I am rea­dy

According to your word.