Beside Still Waters Ministries

I never really knew this carol until my piano and organ teacher in college gave me this arrangement he created to learn on the organ. Since my keyboard doesn't have a pedal board, I obviously didn't play all the parts at once for the recording, but this is one of the few things I can play all three parts at once on an organ since my feet aren't very coordinated. It has also become one of my favorite carols.

A Basque Carol, arr. by John G. Barr

The angel Gabriel from Heaven came,
His wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame;
“All hail,” said he, “thou lowly maiden Mary,
Most highly favored lady,” Gloria!

“For know a blessèd mother thou shalt be,
All generations laud and honor thee,
Thy Son shall be Emmanuel, by seers foretold,
Most highly favored lady,” Gloria!

Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head,
“To me be as it pleaseth God,” she said,
“My soul shall laud and magnify His holy Name.”
Most highly favored lady, Gloria! 

Of her, Emmanuel, the Christ, was born
In Bethlehem, all on a Christmas morn,
And Christian folk throughout the world will ever say—
“Most highly favored lady,” Gloria!