‘Queen of the May’

 A musical treat for you on this May day

The members of our wonderful Basilica choir are in lock down at present. However, they couldn’t let this special day pass without sharing a rendition of this beautiful hymn with you. Each member of the choir recorded their individual part at home and the harmonies were magically combined together by our director of music at Knock Shrine, Una Nolan. We hope that you enjoy this beautiful piece, arranged by Una Nolan and performed by Schola Cantorum Basilicae.

‘Queen of the May’

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!

Chorus:
O Mary we crown thee with blossoms today!
Queen of the Angels and Queen of the May.
O Mary we crown thee with blossoms today,
Queen of the Angels and Queen of the May.

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.

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.

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.