Christmas Carols New and Old ‎#11

11. When I View the Mother Holding

When I view the Mother holding
In her arms the heav’nly Boy,
Thousand blissful thoughts unfolding,
Melt my heart with sweetest joy, With sweetest joy.

With her babe the hours beguiling,
Mary’s soul in transport lives
God her Son upon her smiling,
Thousand, thousand kisses fondly gives, Fondly gives.

As the sun his radiance flinging,
Shines upon the bright expanse,
So the Child to Mary clinging,
Doth her gentle heart, her gentle heart, Entrance.

See the Virgin Mother beaming!
Jesus by her arms embraced,
Dew on softest roses gleaming
Violet with lily chaste, with lily chaste!

Each round other fondly twining,
Pours the shafts of mutual love,
Thick as flow’rs in meadows shining,
Countless as the stars above, as the stars above,

O may one such arrow flowing,
Sweetest Child, which Thou dost dart,
Through Thy Mother’s bosom going,
Blessed Jesu, pierce my heart, pierce my heart, Blessed Jesu.

Text Information

• First Line: When I view the Mother holding
• Title: When I View the Mother Holding
• Publication Date: 1871

Tune Information

• Name: [When I view the Mother holding]