Of a Rose, a Lovely Rose

Lyrics

Of a Rose, a lovely Rose Of a Rose is all my song Hearken to me both old and young How this Rose began to spring; A fairer rose to mine liking In all this world ne know I none Five branches of that rose there been The which be both fair and sheen; The rose is called Mary, heaven's queen Out of her bosom a blossom sprang The first branch was of great honour: That blest Marie should bear the flow'r; There came an angel from heaven's tower To break the devil's bond The second branch was great of might That sprang upon Christmas night; The star shone over Bethlehem bright That man should see it both day and night The third branch did spring and spread; Three kinges then the branch gan led Unto Our Lady in her child-bed; Into Bethlem that branch sprang right The fourth branch it sprang to hell The devil's power for to fell: That no soul therein should dwell The branch so blessedfully sprang The fifth branch it was so sweet It sprang to heav'n, both crop and root Therein to dwell and be our bote: So blessedly it sprang Pray we to her with great honour She that bare the blessed flow'r To be our help and our succour And shield us from the fiendes bond