"Bring Flowers of the Rarest" (also known as the Fairest) is a Marian hymn written by Mary E. Walsh. It was published as the "Crowning Hymn" in the Wreath of Mary 1871/1883 and later in St. Basil's Hymnal (1889). The hymn is frequently sung during a May Crowning service, one of several May devotions to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Text
:1. Bring flowers of the rarest
::bring blossoms the fairest,
:from garden and woodland and hillside and dale;
::our full hearts are swelling,
:our glad voices telling
::the praise of the loveliest flower of the vale!
:refrain: O Mary! we crown thee with blossoms today,
::Queen of the Angels, Queen of the May,
:O Mary! we crown thee with blossoms today,
::Queen of the Angels, Queen of the May.
:2. Our voices ascending,
::In harmony blending,
:Oh! Thus may our hearts turn
::Dear Mother, to thee;
:Oh! Thus shall we prove thee
::How truly we love thee,
:How dark without Mary
::Life's journey would be.
:refrain
:3. O Virgin most tender,
::Our homage we render,
:Thy love and protection,
::Sweet Mother, to win;
:In danger defend us,
::In sorrow befriend us,
:And shield our hearts
::From contagion and sin.
:refrain
:4. Of Mothers the dearest,
::Oh, wilt thou be nearest,
:When life with temptation
::Is darkly replete?
:Forsake us, O never!
::Our hearts be they ever
:As Pure as the lilies
::We lay at thy feet.
:refrain
Publication
- Sisters of Notre Dame (1883). Wreath of Mary [music] A collection of hymns to the Blessed Virgin. Boston, Oliver Ditson.
- St. Michael's College (1889). St. Basil's hymnal. Toronto: St. Michael's college., Toronto, Ontario.
References