Through the briars, Mary walks.
Lord, have mercy!
Through the thorny wood she goes
that in seven years has known no rose.
Jesus and Mary!
Beneath her heart, what does she hold?
Lord, Have Mercy!
It is an innocent baby
beneath her heart that she carries.
Jesus and Mary!
And as she walks, the roses bloom!
Lord, have mercy!
The briars where no rose was known;
as she goes, the roses grow.
Jesus and Mary!
What shall we call this little child?
Lord, have mercy!
His name shall be Lord Jesus mild
for he shall lead us out' the wild.
Jesus and Mary!
Author notes
This is my interpretation of a 15th century German folk song that is traditionally sung here in southern Germany on the first Sunday of Advent.
vintage illustration: Maria durch ein Dornwald ging, artist unknown.
you can listen to me singing this here: http://www.acidplanet.com/artist.asp?PID=1181589&t=992
A contest entry
- The Virgin Mary by Violinstrings.
650 points, ended December 20, 2008, 20 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - #148 Winklings' Carols ~ We invite all AP. by Lyndon.
1750 points, ended January 8, 7 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
1 - 12 of 12
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This is something special.
Your interpretation of the original is authentic in its repetition, core meaning and the rose symbol. Beautifully done. If I were to be critical a wee bit it would be that the penultimate rhyme perhaps is forced but I am trying hard to not see perfection!
Best wishes.
[You sang it with excellent voice control and the tune is authentically traditional of the period.]
Ron.
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Thank you, Ron, for your meaningful comments both here and in the contest notes. I am very touched.
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This is just wonderful, you have a lovely singing voice
and in combination with your verses, to me, is a most authentic version of a 15th century carol.
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The image of the rose and the briar is a beautiful one and quite Christian, I believe. The rose is anyway and the briar seems to add to it, something about opposites.
It makes me want to sing.
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I would like to the roses bloom (many),
maybe fits the melody better too.
poem and picture perfectly matched. -
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yes, it should be roses but Jessie insists that Mary is pregnant and says there's even a stanza where it says that so I decided to make it so that she, the Rose, was blooming, as she walks towards her delivery on Christmas. I think that carrying the baby under the heart communicates that though it's open to interpretation as this old painting shows.
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Lovely and poignant piece.
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I like it
nolw are you writing about the song
remembering it by memory
and using your own words
it is beautiful
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Thank you. yes, these are my own words, interpreted or adapted from the German after I had heard my six-year-old singing this in her Kinder choir on Sunday for the first time. I could get a sense of the words, at the time, but when I got home, I read the German and adapted the lyrics to fit the music. It would not be possible to do a word for word translation and have it fit the music and the last stanza in particular, is completely unique, other than the repeating lines of praise, Kyrie eleison (Lord, have mercy) and Jesus and Mary. Merry Christmas.
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That is a very unfair comment you have there from rhythm child. You have certainly not wasted my time. I like this a lot. It has a rare simplicity which all true carols should have. I don't know if you've read The Cherry Tree Carol, but here's a link in case you haven't. For some reason, your verse reminded me of it.
http://www.traditionalmusic.co.uk/child-ballads/ch054.htm -
this does not fit my contest
its well written i cant deny that but please dont waste my time -
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Oh, excuse me. I saw that your contest was called "Winter Rose" and Mary as the Rose who blooms in winter is an enduring medieval theme and the subject of many a legend and poem.
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