Blest Mary Walks Amid the Thorn

Ideal for use in Advent and to commemorate the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, “Blest Mary Walks Amid the Thorn” (“Maria durch ein’ Dornwald ging”) is a German folk carol that is thought to date to the 16th century. It first appears in print in 1850 as a pilgrimage song, having been spread orally in the traditionally Catholic state of Thuringia, a densely forested area in central Germany. In the 20th century, the song became popular in a version relating the story of Mary, the expectant mother of Jesus, on her journey to visit her cousin, Elizabeth. The text uses the popular Medieval symbol of the rose for the Virgin Mary and speaks of roses blooming on barren thorn-wood as Mary bears her child through the forest. In this medium-easy setting for solo voice, SATB voices, and organ, the verses may be sung by a single soprano soloist or different soloists on each verse, or even soprano and tenor soloists. All voices join the refrains.