Bring Flowers of the Rarest

"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.