Hymn to the Virgin

[all_strange_wonders]

This may be my favorite of all the carols we're singing for the Christmas concert this weekend. It is hauntingly lovely, and the pleasure I take in singing it could only be improved if we were actually using the middle english.

Of on that is so fayre and bright
Velut maris stella,
Brighter than the day is light,
Parens et puella:
Ic crie to thee, thou see to me,
Levedy preye thi Sone for me,
Tam pia,
That Ic mote come to thee.
Maria.

Levedy, flour of alle thing,
Rosa sine spina,
Thu bere Jhesu, hevene king,
Gratia divina:
Of alle thu berst the pris,
Levedy, quene of paradys
Electa:
Mayde milde, Moder.
es Effecta.