Dear St Joseph, pure and gentle,\nGuardian of the Saviour child,\nTreading with the virgin mother,\nEgypt’s deserts rough and wild.\nChorus:\nHail, St Joseph, spouse of Mary,\nBlessed above all saints on high,\nWhen the death shades round us gather,\nTeach, oh, teach us how to die.\n2. He who rested on thy bosom\nIs by countless saints adored,\nProstrate angels in his presence\nSing Hosannas to their Lord.\n3. Now to thee no gift refusing,\nJesus stoops to hear thy prayer;\nThen, dear saint, from thy fair dwelling,\nGive to us a father’s care.\n4. Dear St Joseph, kind and loving,\nStretch to us a helping hand;\nGuide us through life’s toils and sorrows,\nSafely to the distant land.\n5. In the strife of life be near us,\nAnd in death, oh, hover nigh;\nLet our souls on thy sweet bosom,\nTo their home of gladness fly.