This song is based on Mary’s Song from Luke 1: 46-55, known as the Magnificat. This is the longest set of words spoken by a woman in the New Testament and is her announcement about the subversive nature of Jesus’ kingdom and ministry to come.

In her song, Mary declares: “He has brought down rulers from their thrones and raised up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with nothing” (Luke 1:51-53). These words are so provocative, that over the past century at least 3 countries, India, Guatemala and Argentina, banned them from being said in public. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the German pastor and theologian executed by the Nazis, called the Magnificat “the most passionate, the wildest, one might even say the most revolutionary hymn ever sung.”

I wrote this version in 2019, but it became an Advent project in 2021. Thanks to the wonderful people who helped by singing, arranging music and recording, filming and editing.

Music, lyrics, piano:  Glen Powell glenbpowellmusic.net

Vocalists: Liz Potten, Radhika Sukumar-White, Emma Gibson, Liuanga Palu

Recorded, arranged and mixed by: Callum Gibson

Videography and Post-production: Shot to Pieces

Assistant: Adam Powell

Location: Burwood Uniting Church, Sydney Australia

Church photo: Peter Miller, used with permission.

Mary’s Song (Magnificat) Lyric Video

Video Files for Download

Permission is given to use these videos in worship settings. The files can be downloaded from this Google Drive.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1YtYN7qM-b1amiCCqaaBRZ9KRzAJJRmwT?usp=sharing

Sheet Music