Brenwen the Faire

Brenwen the Faire

Copyright Ann A. Straut / Temair ingen Miredaich

Filked to Cantigas de Santa Maria

(From Lyrics of the Middle Ages, ed. James J. Wilhelm. NY: Garland Publ., 1990, 244.  “The Rose of roses and flower of flowers, Lady of ladies and lord of lords”)

"Alfonso wrote or organized the Cantigas de Santa María, a collection of [427] poems in honor of the Virgin, often longish narratives relating her miracles. One of the most important music collections in the Middle Ages, the songs were often sung on pilgrimages. The text for this poem in Alvar-Beltrán, pp. 423-424; music, 441. For a tape of the Cantigas, Astrée E7707."

The Rose of roses and flower of flowers,

Lady of ladies is Brenwen the Faire

1.
Rose of beauty and fine appearance

And flower of happiness and pleasure,

Lady of most graceful bearing

And faire for relieving all woes and cares;

The Rose of roses and flower of flowers,

Lady of ladies is Brenwen the Faire

2.
Such a Mistress everybody should love
For she can ward away any evil
And she can pardon any sinner
To create a better savor in this world
The Rose of roses and flower of flowers,

Lady of ladies is Brenwen the Faire

3.
We should love and serve her loyally,
For she can guard us from failing;
She makes us repent our errors,
That we have committed as sinners.
The Rose of roses and flower of flowers,

Lady of ladies is Brenwen the Faire

4.
This lady whom I acknowledge as my Master

And whose troubadour I’d gladly be,
If I could possess her love,
I’d give up all my other lovers.
The Rose of roses and flower of flowers,

Lady of ladies is Brenwen the Faire