"Rose for All Seasons," new text suitable for May Crowning
  • Anna_BendiksenAnna_Bendiksen
    Posts: 244
    Grace and peace, everyone.

    I do love the tune QUELLE EST CETTE ODEUR AGREABLE (9.8.9.8.9.8.) Here is a Marian text for it. One could also find a tune in 9.8.9.8. and use the first four lines of each verse.

    1. Rose for all seasons, noble treasure
    Spotless and tender from Thy birth,
    Well may Thy mercy past all measure
    Come to adorn this stony earth!
    Rose for all seasons, noble treasure
    Spotless and tender from Thy birth.

    2. Rose of the springtime, God's own greeting
    Hailed Thee in archangelic light;
    How Thou arose, the moment meeting!
    Swift was Thy "Fiat," Blossom bright;
    Rose of the springtime, God's own greeting
    Hailed Thee in archangelic light.

    3. Rose of the summer, how Thy splendor
    Scatters the tempter's scornful pow'r!
    Mystical Bloom, we come to render
    Praises in this, Thy lavish hour;
    Rose of the summer, how Thy splendor
    Scatters the tempter's scornful pow'r.

    4. Rose of the autumn, present even
    With us, Thy children, in our death,
    O Flower, may we rise to Heaven
    Singing of Thee with thankful breath;
    Rose of the autumn, present even
    With us, Thy children, in our death.

    5. Rose of the winter, how Thou labored
    For man and God at Bethlehem!
    Thou bore this sinful world a Savior,
    Jesus, true Rose of ancient stem;
    Rose of the winter, how Thou labored
    For man and God at Bethlehem!

    6. Rose of creation, stars and planets
    Bow to Thee in adoring song;
    Time and space whirl in radiant gladness;
    Mary, to Thee our hearts belong;
    Rose of creation, stars and planets
    Bow to Thee in adoring song.

    (c) 2021 Anna Bendiksen
    Thanked by 6CHGiffen Chris Garton-Zavesky Nathan_the_Organist Don9of11 Heath NihilNominis
  • davido
    Posts: 943
    Very neat. Great theology and creative imagery.

    My only other comment is that it would be nice if the verse order could follow the usual order of events in the life of the BVM and in the Rosary: Annunciation, Visitation, Nativity of Our Lord, Assumption, Coronation. Since those mysteries are all contained in the poem.
    But having the four seasons in order is important too, like you have it now.
    Thanked by 1Anna_Bendiksen
  • Don9of11Don9of11
    Posts: 708
    I think I would rephrase or replace "sprung from the stones of sinful earth." The Blessed Mother was Immaculate from the moment of conception. There was nothing sinful. I think I would stay away from any reference or inference to sinful or sinfulness when describing the Mother of God. Also, we are not her "kin," I would rephrase this as well since we are her children, brothers and sisters in Christ. Kin, suggest to me relatives.

    Also, "Mystical bloom", Mary is seen in prophecy as the "Rod of Jesse" from which springs the blossom, Jesus Christ. For example, "Little white lamb in the manger, flower on the blossoming rod." Or "Rose of the Cross, thou mystic flower." With that in mind, the blossom or rose is really referring to Jesus Christ. Roses or flowers in Marian poetic imagery are often the prayers that we bring to Our Lady, "bring flowers of the fairest, bring flowers of the rarest."

    There are many Marian hymns that use "flowers" in poetic imagery, if I were composing lyrics I would study these also, I would also study the texts from the Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary, I, II. I think there are some beautiful texts in the Masses that you could draw upon.
    Thanked by 1Anna_Bendiksen
  • Heath
    Posts: 966
    Anna, beautiful! And yes, QUELLE EST is an amazing French melody.

    Do you have a website where you keep all your hymn settings? It would be nice to have one click to find them rather than wading through the forum. :)
    Thanked by 1Anna_Bendiksen
  • Anna_BendiksenAnna_Bendiksen
    Posts: 244
    Heath, you do me great honor. I am working to add more hymn settings to my website (http://www.annabendiksen.com).
    Thanked by 1CHGiffen
  • Anna_BendiksenAnna_Bendiksen
    Posts: 244
    I've edited the version above. I'll also post it on my website.
    Thanked by 1CHGiffen
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