Tune: Woodlands
(\'Tell out my soul\')
Luke 1 v.26-38 parts
For The Annunication Day {Announcement}: 25 March
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\'Ecce Ancilla Domini\', it be
\'Behold the handmaid of the Lord\' I be
Said Mary, when the angel Gabriel
Came to her, and the announcement did tell
Would tell that she not fear, but has favour
With God, and would bear for us our Saviour
His name would be JESUS, he shall be great
Son of the Highest, of royal estate
The Lord God shall give unto Him the throne
Of His earthly ancestor, David, known
And He shall reign for ever and ever
His kingdom endless and ceases never
And here displayed in purity of white
Mary, a virgin, trembles at the sight
A small dove seen, the Holy Spirit, He
By His power the child\'s Father would be
Here feet of flames of angel painted, see
And white flower offered to Mary, see
A tapestry in foreground, Rossetti*
A scene revealed, contemplativity
So her response, Behold, I the handmaid
Of the Lord, let the angel\'s words be made
Steadfast, and so be it e\'en as you say
I Him shall humbly trust, serve, and obey
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* Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1828 - 1882)
Picture painted 1850. His sister Christina, author of
\'In the bleak midwinter\', was the inspiration
for the figure of Mary.