Bring flowers of the rarest, bring flowers of the fairest

1 Bring flow'rs of the rarest, bring flow'rs of the fairest,
From garden and woodland, and hillside and vale;
Our full hearts are swelling, our glad voices telling
The praise of the loveliest Rose of the dale.

Chorus:
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. [Chorus]

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 fond hearts from contagion of sin. [Chorus]

4 Of Mothers the dearest, oh, wilt thou be nearest,
When life with temptation is darkly replete?
Forsake us, oh never! our hearts, be they ever
As pure as the lilies we lay at thy feet. [Chorus]


Source: Laudis Corona: the new Sunday school hymn book, containing a collection of Catholic hymns, arranged for the principal seasons and festivals of the year #108