Catholic Activity: Marian Hymn: Bring Flowers of the Fairest

Hymn to Mary often used for May crownings.

DIRECTIONS

1. Bring flowers of the fairest
Bring flowers the rarest,
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,
As pure as the lilies we lay at your feet.Refrain

Alternative verses:

Their lady they name thee,
Their mistress proclaim thee,
Ah, grant that thy children on earth be as true
as long as the bowers
are radiant with flowers,
as long as the azure shall keep its bright hue. Refrain

Sing gaily in chorus;
the bright angels o'er us
re-echo the strains we begin upon earth;
their harps are repeating
the notes of our greeting,
for Mary herself is the cause of our mirth Refrain