by Anonymous / Unidentified Author
Translation by Anonymous / Unidentified Author

I syng of a mayden
Language: Middle English 
Our translations:  FRE
I syng of a mayden
þat is makeles,
kyng of alle kynges
to here sone che ches.

He came also stylle
þer his moder was
as dew in aprylle,
þat fallyt on þe gras.

He cam also stylle
to his moderes bowr
as dew in aprille,
þat fallyt on þe flour.

He cam also stylle
þer his moder lay
as dew in Aprille,
þat fallyt on þe spray.;

Moder & mayden
was neuer non but che --
wel may swych a lady
Godes moder be.

About the headline (FAQ)

Text Authorship:

  • by Anonymous / Unidentified Author, first published c1400

See other settings of this text.

Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):

  • FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , copyright © 2011, (re)printed on this website with kind permission


Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

This text was added to the website: 2011-01-06
Line count: 20
Word count: 84

Language: English  after the Middle English 
I sing of a maiden
That is matchless;
King of all kings
To her son she chose.

He came all so still
There his mother was,
As dew in April
That falleth on the grass.

He came all so still
To his mother's bower,
As dew in April
That falleth on the flower.

He came all so still
There his mother lay, 
As dew in April
That falleth on the spray.

Mother and maiden
Was never none but she;
Well may such a lady
Goddes mother be.

Composition:

    Set to music by Roger Quilter (1877 - 1953), "An old carol", op. 25 (Six songs) no. 3 (1923), published 1924, first performed 1923 [ voice and piano ], Winthrop Rogers

Text Authorship:

  • by Anonymous / Unidentified Author

Based on:

See other settings of this text.


Researcher for this page: Mike Pearson

This text was added to the website: 2012-12-06
Line count: 20
Word count: 87