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When Mary Sang Her Lullaby

About the Song

I love the beautiful symbolism in these familiar lines…

Raise, raise the song on high / The virgin sings her lullaby

…in which the image of Mary singing a lullaby represents the coming of Jesus Christ into the world. Did Mary really sing to the Christ Child? Well, we don’t know, though being a mother myself, I rather assume she did. But the lullaby is a symbol for something greater. Likewise, in my 1999 Christmas card carol I have attempted to use Mary’s lullaby as a symbol for the coming of Christ as the Babe of Bethlehem, who would indeed “comfort all the world.”

If you prefer, the solo may be accompanied using the SSA score.

Spotify, Soundcloud (inc. free downloads)

Spotify:

When Mary Sang Her Lullaby (feat. Heather Prusse)
When Mary Sang Her Lullaby (Accompaniment Track)
When Mary Sang Her Lullaby (Piano Track)

 

Soundcloud:

Click the Soundcloud download icon to download the free track for personal use.

Recording featuring vocals by Heather Prusse:

Accompaniment Track:

Piano Track:

Apple Music, Amazon

These files may be copied/shared in any quantity in any physical format unless otherwise noted. They may not be re-sold or offered for download.

Apple Music: When Mary Sang Her Lullaby (feat. Heather Prusse)
Apple Music: When Mary Sang Her Lullaby (Accompaniment Track)
Apple Music: When Mary Sang Her Lullaby (Piano Track)

Amazon: When Mary Sang Her Lullaby (feat. Heather Prusse)
Amazon: When Mary Sang Her Lullaby (Accompaniment Track)
Apple Music: When Mary Sang Her Lullaby (Piano Track)

YouTube

 

 

 

  (Video provided to YouTube by outside parties may contain ads that may be skipped after a few seconds.)

Lyrics

Darkness fell o’er Bethlehem at last
And hastened weary travelers to their rest
The empty streets all silent,
All silent was the night
All silent ‘neath the star of stars aglow with heaven’s light

Then Mary sang her lullaby of love
And cradled in her arms the Holy Child
In that poor and lowly place
Hallowed by his grace
’twas a lullaby to comfort all the world

Darkness fell o’er shepherds in the fields
Till heaven’s joyful tidings were revealed
The angels’ song of glory
Re-echoed o’er the plains
While in a stable, soft and low, a sweeter song remained

For Mary sang her lullaby of love
And cradled in her arms the Holy Child
In that poor and lowly place
Hallowed by his grace
’twas a lullaby to comfort all the world

When darkness falls and night besets my soul
Her gentle song still sings of brighter hope
Above the voice of sorrow
Beyond all bitter tears
Echoes of that lullaby linger through the years

When Mary sang her lullaby of love
And cradled in her arms the Holy Child
In that poor and lowly place
Hallowed by his grace
’twas a lullaby to comfort all the world

If you have questions, please check the FAQ
If you don't find your answer there, feel free to post your question here. 🙂

20 Comments

  1. Kevin Kampeter

    Are there guitar chords for When Mary Sang Her Lullaby?

    Reply
  2. Amy F

    Do you have lower versions of this song? I cannot get the personal demo composer to work and when Heather Prusse sings it that is the key I need.
    Thanks for providing all this music! It is absolutely beautiful!

    Reply
  3. Melinda Jennings

    I downloaded a version of this song several years ago in E-flat that was low voice solo. Is this still available?

    Reply
  4. Maryann Silbert

    I heard this song at Mass and fell in love with it. The melody grabbed my soul and lifted it high. Thank you for this beautiful song and for the music. I can’t stop playing it. I shared it with my friends and they all agree with me.

    Reply
  5. Janean Steck

    LOVE this song- do you have a recording of it as SSA??

    Reply
  6. Patricia (Pat) McGregor

    Thank you for sharing your feelings through music beautifully so that I can sing “When Mary Sang Her Lullaby of Love” for my Christmas recital.

    Reply
  7. Krystle Ovard

    Hi!! I really loved singing along to the music tracks you had for this. I hope this is one of the ones you will re-upload at some point or perhaps make available on iTunes? I would gladly pay for the accompaniment track as well as the vocal recordings.

    Reply
  8. Angie Fennemore

    Dear Sally,
    First of all, thank you so much for so willingly sharing your talents with so many people. I have enjoyed so many of your songs over the years and you’re always the first site I go to in order to find something to sing for church.
    I’m having problems with the Personal Composer for “When Mary Sang Her Lullaby”. I’ve tried it on my PC and Mac. Any suggestions?
    Thanks in advance. 🙂

    Reply
  9. EJ

    Is there anyone who has transposed this piece into a lower key that would be willing to share? I unfortunately only have MAC products and the program doesn’t work. Thank you.

    Reply
  10. Kayla Barrett

    Dear Sally,
    This is such a pretty piece! I will be singing it in church in a couple weeks! Thank you for sharing your music freely with everyone! You are amazing!
    Sending love from Utah

    Reply
  11. Kuveni Wijeratne

    Hi Sally

    I love your music and songs.

    I am trying to purchase an accompaniment track for your song ” When Mary sang her lullaby”. We wish to sing it at our Carol Service. Our problem is accompanists who can read music! So, tracks are very helpful.
    I am writing to you from a Baptist Church Sri Lanka.
    Thanks you
    God bless
    Kuveni

    Reply
  12. Amanda

    Dear Sally,

    Thank you so much for sharing your talents with the world. I’ve been a fan of your music (and lyrics: wow!) for years and have regularly visited your site to find another gem to sing, listen to or rehearse with a choir. Last year I was asked to find something for the RS sisters to sing during our branch Christmas program. No small feat, especially since I didn’t have a pianist and the sisters are enthusiastic but not used to singing parts. But fortunately this very sweet song came to the rescue! 😉 The sisters loved it (and it’s low voice setting), sang it beautifully and are looking forward to singing again with Easter this year (which, ofcourse is a great excuse to dig around this site again!). So thank you thank you thank you for being wonderful and fantastic! 🙂 Have a great year, personally and musically. I’m looking forward to hear your new songs!

    On behalf of the RS sisters in Emmen branch, Netherlands,
    Amanda

    Reply
  13. Yvonne Beunders

    Hallo Sally,

    We sang this beautiful song of you today at christmas: When mary sang her lullaby.
    We (Jasmijn Kuipers, Nelleke Kuipers, Yvonne Beunders and pianist Jos Beunders) wanted to share it with you.
    Thank you for the song and merry christmas!

    Kind regards from the Netherlands.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhksuL6J1f8&feature=youtu.be

    Reply
    • Sharee Smith

      That was beautiful!

      Reply
    • Paula Hester

      beautiful ladies!

      Reply
    • Barb

      Simply gorgeous!

      Reply
    • Paula

      Beautiful! Thank you for sharing.

      Reply
  14. Nathan Northrup

    Hello Sally, I’m sure you are used to having your music performed around the world, but I wanted to let you know that our professional opera chorus here in Wuppertal, Germany, just sang “When Mary Sang Her Lullaby” in our Christmas concert. This was the first Christmas concert we’ve had in my 11 years here, and we performed it first at the Opera House last week, then again today for a Catholic charity. The ladies sang beautifully, and I wish I had a recording to share with you. (I was anxious to let them know – “She’s from my church!” Our director came across this site after googling Christmas music for choirs.) Anyway, thank you for sharing your talents, and for making the music available.
    Merry Christmas!

    Reply
  15. Kaye DuShane

    Thank you for sharing your compositional talents so freely. I’m sure you will receive eternal blessings for your generous gifts.

    Reply
  16. medyo bastos

    thank you for providing the wonderful pieces, accompaniment and the voice. I am helping our choir and tomorrow we will be singing this for then Mary Mother of G od celebrations. I will be listening to this the whole day so I can help out. again, thanks for the big assist, and may you not tire doing so. Happy new year!!!

    Reply

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