Tabb Centenary Year LXVI

Three lyrics by Rev. John B. Tabb.

A Lily of the Field

In all his glory, Solomon
   Was never so arrayed;
Yet far more beautiful is one—
   A MOTHER and a MAID—
Whose loveliness and lowliness
God stooped from highest heaven to bless.

1899 (p. 206, Religion: The Blessed Virgin)

The Immaculate Conception

A dewdrop of the darkness born,
   Wherein no shadow lies;
The blossom of a barren thorn,
   Whereof no petal dies;
A rainbow beauty passion-free,
Wherewith was veiled Divinity.

January 1894 (p. 204, Religion: The Blessed Virgin)

Mary

Maid-Mother of humanity divine,
   Alone thou art in thy supremacy,
   Since God Himself did reverence to thee
And built of flesh a temple one with thine,
Wherein, through all eternity, to shrine
   His inexpressive glory. Blessed be
   The miracle of thy maternity,
Of grace the sole immaculate design!

1893 (p. 210, Religion: An Octave to Mary)

[The Roman Church celebrates the Immaculate Conception of The Blessed Virgin Mary on Dec. 8, nine months before the celebration of her birthday, Sep. 8. “A Lily of the Field”: the poem and its title allude to Luke 12:27. “The Immaculate Conception”: in “passion-free”, Father Tabb may have meant passions in a theological sense, especially unbridled passions.]

Lane Core Jr. CIW P — Tue. 12/08/09 08:39:17 AM
Categorized as Father Tabb Centenary Year & Literary.