DESCRIPTION:
This is a 13th Century English polyphonic chant in praise of the Virgin Mary. Enjoy.

ORIGINAL

- Edi beo thu hevene quene

Edi beo þu hevene quene
folkes frovre and engles blis,
moder unwemmed and maiden clene
swich in world non oþer nis.
On þé hit is wel eþ sene
of alle wimmen þu havest þet pris
mi swete levedi, her mi béne
and reu of mé 3if þi wille is.

Þu aste3e so þe dai3 rewe
þe deleð from þe deorke nicht,
of þe sprong á leóme newe,
þat al þis world haveð ili3t.
Nis non maide of þine heowe,
swo fair, so sschene, so rudi, swo bricht;
swete levedi of me þu reowe,
and have merci of þin knicht.

Spronge blostme of one rote,
þe holi gost þe reste upón,
þet wes for monkunnes bote
and heore soule to alesen for on.
Levedi milde, softe and swote,
ic crie þe merci, ic am þi mon
boþe to honde and to fote,
on alle wise þat ic kon.

Þu ert eorþe to gode sede
on þe li3te þe heovene deú3,
of þe sprong þeó edi blede
þe holi gost hire on þe séu3.
Þu bring us út of kare of dréde
þat Eve bitterliche us breú3,
þu sschalt us in-to heóvene lede,
welle swete is þe ilke déu3.

Moder ful of þewes hende
Maide drei3 and wel itaucht,
ic ém in þine love bende
and to þe is al mi draucht.
Þu me sschild 3e from þe feonde
ase þu ert freó, and wilt, and maucht,
help me to mi lives ende,
and make me wið þin sone isau3t.

TRANSLATION

-Edi beo thu

Blessed be Thou, Queen of heaven,
comfort of men and bliss of angels,
unblemished mother and pure virgin,
such as no other is in the world.
As for Thee, it is most readily seen
that of all women Thou hast that prize.
My sweet Lady, hear my prayer
and have pity on me, if Thou wilt.

Thou didst ascend like the first dawn
that brings dark night to an end;
from Thee sprang a new light
that has lightened the whole world.
There is no other maid like Thee,
so fair, so beautiful, so ruddy,
so radiant, so bright; sweet Lady, pity me
and have mercy on Thy knight.

O blossom sprung forth from a root,
the Holy Ghost reposed upon Thee;
that was for mankind's salvation
to deliver their soul in exchange for one.
Gracious Lady, gentle and sweet,
I cry to Thee for mercy;
I am Thy man with hand and foot,
in every way I can.

Thou art earth for good seed;
the dew from heaven came down upon Thee;
from Thee sprang forth the blessed fruit —
the Holy Ghost has sown it on Thee here.
Bring us out of the grief and dread
that Eve has wickedly caused us;
Thou shalt lead us into heaven —
right sweet is that same dew.

Mother, full of gracious virtues,
maiden patient and well-taught,
I am in the bonds of Thy love,
and everything draws me to Thee.
Wouldst Thou shield me from the fiend,
as Thou art noble, willing and able;
help me to my life's end
and reconcile me with Thy son.

Performed by - Anonymous 4
CD - An English Ladymass