O Holy Mary (O holy dwelling place of God)

This is a hymn about Mary, the mother of God, which focuses on the life of Jesus.

It was written by American Roman Catholic theologian, organist, composer and music editor/publisher,  Owen Alstott (b 1947), and first published in 1985 by OCP Publications.

The words have been translated to Spanish (María, Mader del Señor) by Cesáreo Gabaráin (1936-1991), and Vietnamese (Maria, Mẹ Thiên Chúa) by Hải Triều.

It is set to an unnamed tune, also by Alstott. This has a 4/4 time signature. In the key of Dm, the first few notes of the melody are D DA A_ BB GG A_ with accompanying chords Dm / Gm / /Dm.

Image generated with www.craiyon.com - Mary Mother of God

Downloads

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Buy sheet music from OCP

Examples

Duet with guitar:

Choir with organ:

Cantor and choir - professional recording in English and Spanish:

Choir with light orchestral backing, professional recording in English:

Choir with organ - professional recording:

Instrumental for practice - piano:

Lyrics

The lyrics are copyright so cannot be reproduced here. But they are currently available on this website. A rough outline is:

Chorus:
O holy dwelling place of God,
O holy temple of the Word.
O holy Mary, holy Mother of God.

1.  O radiant star of heaven, illuminating the night ...

2.  O blest beyond all others, of every land and race ...

3. From heav'n the angel Gabriel announced the ancient plan ...

4.  With joy beyond all measure you cared for God's own Son ...

5.  Exquisite was your sorrow, unequalled was the loss ... 

6.  All praise and adoration we sing now to your Son ...

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• Hymns about Mary

KEEP IN CASE ORIGINAL IS REMOVED, BUT DO NOT DISPLAY Chorus:
O holy Dwelling Place of God,
O holy Temple of the Word.
O holy Mary, holy Mother of God.

1.  O radiant star of heaven, illuminating the night;
reflection of the Son, our source of life and light.

2.  O blest beyond all others, of ev'ry land and race,
possessing in your soul the fullness of God's grace.

3. From heav'n the angel Gabriel announced the ancient plan
and humbly you accepted to bear the God made man.

4.  With joy beyond all measure you cared for God's own Son
and pondered in your heart the new age now begun.

5.  Exquisite was your sorrow, unequalled was the loss
you suffered when your Son was raised upon the cross.

6.  All praise and adoration we sing now to your Son
Who reigns in highest heaven and has the vict'ry won.