by William Sharp (1855 - 1905), as Fiona Macleod
The bird of Christ
Language: English
Holy, Holy, Holy, Christ upon the Cross: My little nest was near, Hidden in the moss. Holy, Holy, Holy, Christ was pale and wan: His eyes beheld me singing Bron, Bron, mo Bron! Holy, Holy, Holy, Come near, O wee brown bird!" Christ spake, and lo, I lighted Upon the Living Word. Holy, Holy, Holy, I heard the mocking scorn! But Holy, Holy, Holy, I sang against a thorn! Holy, Holy, Holy, Ah, his brow was bloody: Holy, Holy, Holy, All my breast was ruddy. Holy, Holy, Holy, Christ's-Bird shalt thou be: Thus said Mary Virgin There on Calvary. Holy, Holy, Holy, A wee brown bird am I: But my breast is ruddy For I saw Christ die. Holy, Holy, Holy, By this ruddy feather, Colum, call thy monks, and All the birds together.
Text Authorship:
- by William Sharp (1855 - 1905), as Fiona Macleod, "The bird of Christ", appears in From the Hills of Dream, first published 1896 [author's text not yet checked against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Rutland Boughton (1878 - 1960), "The bird of Christ", published 1911 [ voice and piano ], from Six Spiritual Songs [sung text not yet checked]
- by Helen Hopekirk (1856 - 1945), "The bird of Christ", published <<1929 [ medium voice and piano ], from Six Poems by Fiona Macleod [sung text not yet checked]
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2008-08-17
Line count: 32
Word count: 134