‘My soul declares aloud’
A metrical version of Mary's Magnificat.
Several months before I moved to Hamilton, Ontario, I wrote a metrical version of Mary’s Magnificat, which I sang in church shortly thereafter.
The Book of Common Prayer prescribes that the Magnificat be sung at evening prayer, which suggests that it need not be limited to the Advent season but should be sung often throughout the year. My own versified text is simple enough for a congregation to sing to any tune in Short Metre Double (SMD, or 66 86 66 86). I offer it to our readers below, with a trinitarian doxology appended in the final stanza:
My soul declares aloud the greatness of the Lord;
to God who saves my spirit sings, rejoicing in his word.
For he has looked on me despite my humbleness,
and from now on all people shall recall my blessedness.
Great marvels he has done, whose holy name we own;
his mercy ever flows to all that worship God alone.
With his almighty arm he’s bid the proud depart;
he’s cast the tyrant from his throne and raised the lowly heart.
The hungry he has filled with satisfying foods;
the wealthy he has sent away deprived of worldly goods.
To Jacob whom he chose he lends his gracious aid,
according as his mercies rest on all that he has made.
He blesses Abraham and his posterity,
as to our forebears he has promised for eternity.
All you whom he has made, the Triune God adore;
praise Father, Son and Spirit too, both now and evermore.
