"Bring Flowers of the Rarest"

A historical study of the May crowning hymn

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May is the Month of Our Lady, and parishes often honour Our Lady this month with a May crowning. During these beautiful ceremonies, parishioners—usually children—place a floral crown on a statue of Our Lady. Appropriately, choirs sing Marian hymns during these crownings, and there are many beautiful pieces that they can choose for the occasion.

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One such hymn that was written specifically for May crownings is called “Bring Flowers of the Rarest.” Due to its close connection with May crownings, as well as the words of its chorus referring to crowning Mary with blossoms, the hymn is also sometimes called “Crowning Hymn.” The history of the hymn is somewhat obscure, as the original composer’s name is uncertain.

“Bring Flowers of the Rarest” first appeared in a 1880 Catholic Sunday school hymnal. The late 1800s and early 1900s saw a number of these school hymnals being published, perhaps as a way to make sacred hymns more accessible for the younger members of Catholic parishes. “Bring Flowers of the Rarest” is certainly fitting for a children’s hymnal, with simple lyrics matching a simple melody.

Three years later, in 1883, another Catholic hymnal published the hymn, this time with the title “Our Lady, Queen of Angels,” probably owing to the hymn’s reference to Mary as Queen of the Angels. This hymnal credited Mary E. Walsh as the composer and/or lyricist of the hymn. Both hymnals credit the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, a Belgian religious order that came to Cincinnati in 1840. Thus, it seems that Mary Walsh was affiliated in some way with this order; experts conjecture that she may have been a student at one of the schools run by the Sisters.

A May crowning. Source

It seems that this simple hymn was often sung at May crownings in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In the 20th century, the hymn fell into disuse for some time due to an increased desire within the Church to use only hymns that were clearly dogmatic and Scriptural. “Bring Flowers of the Rarest” does not express any great truths about the Faith, yet with childlike simplicity, it beautifully expresses tender love and devotion for Our Blessed Mother. Fortunately, the hymn has returned to a more popular usage once again, particularly in traditional parishes where the tradition of a May crowning is observed.

Below is the original sheet music of “Bring Flowers of the Rarest” from the first hymnal in which the piece appeared in 1880. I have included all three pages so that you may read the lyrics in their entirety, if you wish. The lyrics are beautiful in their simplicity and profound love for Our Lady, giving us much fruit for meditation. Below the sheet music is a recording of this beautiful hymn in honour of Mary, who is Queen of the Angels and Queen of the May.

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References:

Howe, Don. “Bring Flowers of the Rarest.” At Mother of Mercy Catholic Hymns (27 April 2022), at www.motherofmercycatholichymns.com.

Laudis corona: The New Sunday School Hymn Book, Containing a Collection of Catholic Hymns, Arranged for the Principal Seasons and Festivals of the Year. New York: D. & J. Sadlier & Co., 1880. At Archive, www.archive.org.

St Mungo Music. “Bring Flowers of the Rarest.” At St Mungo Music, www.stmungomusic.org.uk. PDF.