How pure, how frail, and white

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How pure, how frail, and white

Author: Adelaide A. Procter
Tune: [How pure, How frail and white]
Published in 17 hymnals

Representative Text

1 How pure, How frail and white
The snowdrops shine;
Gather a garland bright
for Mary's shrine.

Chorus:
Hail, Mary! Hail, Mary!
Queen of Heaven, let us repeat,
And place our snowdrop wreath
Here at her feet.

2 For on this blessed day
She knelt at pray'r;
Where, lo! before her shone
an angel fair. [Chorus]

3 Hail, Mary! infant lips
Lisp it to-day;
Hail, Mary! with faint smile,
The dying say. [Chorus]

4 Hail, Mary! many a heart,
Broken with grief,
In that angelic prayer
Has found relief. [Chorus]

Source: Laudis Corona: the new Sunday school hymn book, containing a collection of Catholic hymns, arranged for the principal seasons and festivals of the year #80

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Author: Adelaide A. Procter

Not to be confused with Adelaide A. Pollard. Adelaide Anne Proctor was born in London, in 1825. Her father, Brian W. Proctor, is well known by his literary nom de guerre of Barry Cornwall. In 1853, Miss Proctor became a contributor to Dickens' "Household Words." Her reputation as a poet was secured by the publication of her first volume of "Legends and Lyrics," in 1858. A second volume was added in 1860. She also published other compositions in poetry and prose. She died in 1864. She was a member of the Roman Catholic Church. --Annotations of the Hymnal, Charles Hutchins, M.A. 1872.… Go to person page >

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