So my little Mary’s growing up, tell me where the years have flown

My cousin Hannah’s daughter; how I wished she were my own!

How I loved to hear her lessons, bring her presents, pinch her cheek

When I heard of her betrothal, I was just too proud to speak

But my womb was going dry even as she clutched my knee

Her babble made me hear the child I knew would never be

No little boy to serve the Lord and carry on our name

No little girl to cheer my days and take away my shame.

Six months ago my Zach came home talking with his hands

And he scribbled out a message that nobody understands

He wrote a name I’ve never heard, and promises strange

Of angels and of prophets, and a child in my old age

And he had me read of Sarah, but I laughed to read the lines

He’s no Father Abraham, we live in modern times

I could hear the village whisper and mock as I passed through

I looked at my old body, and I knew it wasn’t true.

    But as soon as I heard Mary call my name across the room

    I felt a baby quicken and leap within my womb

    And I cried, “Blessed, blessed are you and your son

    How am I so blessed to see my Lord’s mother come?

    Benedictus fructus ventris tui

    Bene, benedicta tu...”

Summer days are stretching and my day is getting near

The goat is giving so much milk, our figs so plump this year

And I, who was forgotten, grey and barren, nearly dead

I knit and stitch and spin and weave for my sweet baby’s bed

And I can’t help but think Mary’s part of this somehow

Where there was nothing, since she came, there’s hope and movement now

And I can’t help but wonder where her own dear child will lie

I know my son’s the prophet; I’ve a hunch who’s the Most High.

Chords: (4/4)

       G              C                   D                    G

So my little Mary’s growing up, tell me where the years have flown

    Em               C              D                 D7

My cousin Hannah’s daughter; how I wished she were my own!

       G                 C                   D                   G

How I loved to hear her lessons, bring her presents, pinch her cheek

        C              Am            Am7                D7

When I heard of her betrothal, I was just too proud to speak

        G             Em       C                    D

But my womb was going dry even as she clutched my knee

    Em              C                D               D7

Her babble made me hear the child I knew would never be

    G             C                  D            G

No little boy to serve the Lord and carry on our name

   Em               C               D7             G

No little girl to cheer my days and take away my shame.

        G              Em            C               D

But as soon as I heard Mary call my name across the room

   G           Em          C              D

I felt a baby quicken and leap within my womb

                G       Em          C            D

And I cried, “Blessed, blessed are you and your son

G             Em               C             D

How am I so blessed to see my Lord’s mother come?

G           Em     C        D

Benedictus fructus ventris tui

G      C         D

Bene, benedicta tu...”