I know today is the Feast of Saint Joseph the Worker — whom I revere! But I couldn't help remembering my grammer school days, when we sang this song as we processed to the statue of Our Lady with flowers. Do you remember this song?
(Ahem...)
Bring flowers of the fairest,
Bring flowers of 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.
(Then sing along!)
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!
(Next verse, which I didn't remember:)
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.
(Join in!)
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!
(Another verse...this is good!)
O Virgin most tender,
Our homage we render,
Thy love and protection,
Sweet Mary to win.
In danger defend us,
In sorrow befriend us,
And shield our hearts
From contagion and sin.
(C'mon! Don't be shy!)
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!
(One more verse!)
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 they feet.
(Everybody SING!)
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!
Well, I enjoyed this...I hope you did, too. Thanks!
Oh, Mary conceived without sin,
Pray for us who have recourse to thee!
Pray for us who have recourse to thee!
