Peter Bloesch Listen

Holiday Pops Music ~
CHAMBER Orchestra & Chorus



“The Seven Joys of Mary”

(An arrangement of the traditional English carol)

See Description, Instrumentation, and Text Info at bottom of page.



SOUND CLIP   /   FULL SCORE EXCERPT

SCORING:  SATB (some divisi), acc. by chamber orchestra*
* See the “Instrumentation” tab below.
Note:  This piece will soon be available for chorus and FULL orchestra.

AUDIENCE:  Suitable for a concert or church setting — DURATION:  ca. 2:50

DIFFICULTY FOR CHORUS:  3/5  —  DIFFICULTY FOR ORCHESTRA:  4/5

PDF PRICE:  $200  /  HOW TO PLACE AN ORDER



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 an audience favorite, due to its charm and gentle humor.

INSTRUMENTATION

CHOIR:  SATB (some divisi)

WOODWINDS:  1 Flute (doubles on Piccolo), 1 Oboe, 1 Clarinet in Bb,
1 Bassoon

BRASS:  1 Horn, 1 Trumpet in C

PERCUSSION:  1 percussionist on the following instruments:  Glockenspiel, Chimes, Piatti, Suspended Cymbal, Triangle

HARP:  1 Harp

STRINGS:  4,4,2,2,1, but the violins could be reduced to 3,3 or even 2,2

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!