A Marian hymn from the esteemed team of James Phillip McAuley and Richard Connolly, so little chance of being confused with a Protestant hymn here.
It is available to purchase at Willow, where there is a brief snippet and a preview of the sheet music. Connolly’s echoing rhythmic devices in the refrain are a standout. McAuley’s text is refreshingly unsentimental.
I made two backings with chords I made up but neither really captures the delicacy needed here.
Refrain
In your motherhood, O Mary, you and holy church are one:
Both at once we rightly call Mother of Christ, Mother of all.
1 When Lord Christ his Church designed, what other model need he find?
How but in your image could be formed the Church’s motherhood?
2 By the Spirit, all though time the Church renews your act sublime:
From the font she brings to birth Christs’s body, living still on earth.
3 In the church we seem to trace your form and features, full of grace,
Feel the same grave tender care, the ceaseless love that works by prayer.