A hymn in honor of St. Joseph

        

         Although Advent has just begun, I am looking forward to preaching on Advent 4.  This year in the lectionary, we hear about St. Joseph. In years past I looked for hymns to honor him but found almost nothing.

          Consequently, some years back I composed a simple text - works for both kids and adults-  to go with the tune of  W Zlobie Lezy -  a traditional Polish carol.   My intention was to honor both St. Joseph and my husband John's Polish heritage.  When John and I were first married (and long before seminary and ordination), we attended Christmas Eve Midnight Mass at his home church - The Basilica of St. Stanislaus the Martyr in Chicopee, Ma.  The entirely liturgy, including the hymns, was in Polish.  I remember hearing  W Zlobie Lezy sung by their choir and accompanied by a string quartet.  It was beautiful and left a lasting impression.

           W Zlobie Lezy has an interesting story.  The carol was translated into English by Edith Margaret Gellibrand Reed (1885-1933) and entitled Infant Holy, Infant Lowly.  Reed, a British musician and playwright, found the carol in the hymnal Spiewniczek Piesni Koscieline (published 1908), though the tune itself may date back as far as the thirteenth century. The Polish text could possibly be attributed to Piotr Skarga (1536-1612).

Here is link to the tune with the text of Infant Holy, Infant Lowly.   

Below is the text... feel free to use it with attribution.

Faithful Joseph – for Advent IV – Year A

                        Dedicated to the Glory of God and in thanksgiving for my husband, John A. Olbrych, Jr.

Faithful Joseph, faithful Joseph

Listening to the angel’s voice

Faithful Joseph, Faithful Joseph

Faithful in the painful choice.

To honor Mary and her baby

Who did come to save us all.

Faithful Joseph won’t you help us

Be as faithful as you are.

Dreaming Joseph, Dreaming Joseph

Listening to the Spirit’s call

Dreaming Joseph , Dreaming Joseph

Dreaming, knew he heard God’s call

Listened to the angel’s warning

Saved his family from death’s thrall

Dreaming Joseph won’t you help us

Be a dreamer like you are.

Holy Joseph, holy Joseph

Listening ever for God’s will

Holy Joseph, holy Joseph

Listening through the night so still.

Loving Mary and the baby

Who grew to be our Lord

Holy Joseph, won’t you help us

Be as holy as you are.

Text:  JC Olbrych, 2015

Tune: Traditional polish carol  (W Zlobie Lezy), 13^th c.,   Infant Holy, Infant Lowly

© Jennie Clarkson Olbrych