I Sing Of A Maiden (I Syng Of A Mayden)

TUNE I: PATRICK HADLEY












TUNE II: ARNOLD BAX








TUNE III: LENNOX BERKELEY










Lyrics in Original Middle English:

I syng of a mayden
That is makeles;
Kyng of alle Kynges
To her Son she ches.

He cam al so stylle
There his moder was
As dew in Aprylle
That fallyt on the gras;

He cam al so stylle
To his moderes bowr
As dew in Aprylle
That fallyt on the flour;

He cam al so stylle
There his moder lay
As dew in Aprylle
That fallyt on the spray;

Moder and mayden
Was never non but she;
Wel may swych a lady
Godes moder be.

Lyrics in Modern English:

I sing of a maiden
That is matchless,
King of all kings
For her son she chose.

He came as still
Where his mother was
As dew in April
That falls on the grass.

He came as still
To his mother's bower
As dew in April
That falls on the flower.

He came as still
Where his mother lay
As dew in April
That falls on the spray.

Mother and maiden
There was never, ever one but she;
Well may such a lady
God's mother be.

Historical Information

Words: 15th c. Middle English, Sloane Manuscript 2593, ff.10v-11
Music:
Tune I: Patrick Hadley
Tune II: Arnold Bax
Tune III: Lennox Berkeley