Catholic Activity: Advent Folksong: Maria Walks Amid the Thorn

German folksong known since the 16th century; probably much older. Translation, Henry S. Drinker.

DIRECTIONS

1. Maria walks amid the thorn,
Kyrie eleison,
Which seven years no leaf has borne,
She walks amid the wood of thorn,
Jesus and Maria.

2. What 'neath her heart does Mary bear?
Kyrie eleison.
A little child does Mary bear,
Beneath her heart He nestles there.
Jesus and Maria.

3. And as the two are passing near,
Kyrie eleison,
Lo! roses on the thorns appear,
Lo! roses on the thorns appear.
Jesus and Maria.

Activity Source: Around the Year with the Trapp Family by Maria Augusta Trapp, Pantheon Books Inc., New York, New York, 1955