1 Dear Guardian of Mary! dear nurse of her Child!
Life's ways are full weary, the desert is wild;
Bleak sands are all round us, no home can we see;
Sweet Spouse of our Lady! we lean upon thee.

2 For thou to the pilgrim art father and guide,
And Jesus and Mary felt safe by the side;
Ah! blessed St. Joseph, how safe should I be,
Sweet Spouse of our Lady! If thou wert with me.

3 O blessed St. Joseph! how great was thy worth,
The one chosen shadow of God upon earth,
The father of Jesus--ah! then, wilt thou be,
Sweet Spouse of our Lady! a father to me?

4 God chose thee for Jesus and Mary--wilt thou
Forgive a poor exile for choosing thee now?
There's no saint in heaven, St. Joseph, like thee,
Sweet Spouse of our Lady! oh, deign to love me.