Holiday Pops Music ~
Chorus & Orchestra
“The Seven Joys of Mary”
(An arrangement of the traditional English carol)
See Description, Instrumentation, and Text Info at bottom of page.
STATUS: Re-formatting into Sibelius — should be available in summer 2026
PRINT PRICE: $250 + S/H (This includes string parts up to 12, 12, 10, 8, 6.)
PDF PRICE: $185 for a set of PDFs of the full score and all the parts
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FULL SCORE EXCERPT / CHORAL SCORE EXCERPT
SOUND CLIPS:
♦ If you're considering this piece, contact me to request a demo.
♦ You can hear this piece in the chamber orchestra version by clicking here.
♦ You can watch a Vimeo video of the chamber orchestra version by clicking here.
SCORING: Large SATB chorus, accompanied by a full orchestra —
See the “Instrumentation” tab below. / DURATION: ca. 3:00
DIFFICULTY: While the choral parts are not difficult, the instrumental parts are fairly challenging, so I recommend that this piece be performed only by professional players.
NOTE: This arrangement is also available with chamber orch. acc.
DESCRIPTION
What a fun piece this was to arrange! The charming text is full of opportunities for an arranger to have fun with word-painting, and that's exactly what I've done.
My arrangement of this carol is fast-paced and very colorfully orchestrated. This piece has been a real crowd-pleaser due to its charm and gentle humor.
INSTRUMENTATION
CHOIR: Large SATB chorus
WOODWINDS:
3 Flutes (2nd & 3rd Flutes double on Piccolo)
2 Oboes
2 Clarinets in Bb + 1 Bass Clarinet
2 Bassoons
BRASS:
4 Horns
3 Trumpets in C
3 Trombones
1 Tuba
PERCUSSION:
1 timpanist (4 timps), plus 3 percussionists on the following instruments: Glockenspiel, Xylophone, Chimes, Piatti, Suspended Cymbal, Triangle, Mark Tree
HARP: 1 Harp
KEYBOARD: 1 Piano (acoustic or synth)
STRINGS: Ideally, a minimum of 10, 10, 8, 8, 6, but slightly less than this is also doable.
TEXT INFO
The Seven Joys of Mary
Traditional English text
Complete text:
The first good joy that Mary had,
It was the joy of one:
To see the blessèd Jesus Christ
When He was first her son.
When He was first her son, sing joy!
And blessèd may we be!
Sing praise to God who reigns above,
Through all eternity!
The next good joy the Mary had,
It was the joy of two:
To see her own son, Jesus Christ,
To make the lame to go.
(Refrain)
The next good joy that Mary had,
It was the joy of three:
To see her own son, Jesus Christ,
To make the blind to see.
(Refrain)
The next good joy that Mary had,
It was the joy of four:
To see her own son, Jesus Christ,
To read the Bible o'er.
(Refrain)
The next good joy that Mary had,
It was the joy of five:
To see her own son, Jesus Christ,
To make the dead alive!
(Refrain)
The next good joy that Mary had,
It was the joy of six:
To see her own son, Jesus Christ,
Upon the crucifix.
(Refrain)
The next good joy the Mary had,
It was the joy of sev'n:
To see her own son, Jesus Christ,
To wear the crown of Heav'n.
(Refrain)
To make the lame to go!
To make the blind to see!
To make the dead alive!
Sing joy!
