Rosa das Rosas

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Artwork by Freya Cumming

Bho sheanchas / Traditional

Tha an t-òran brèagha seo a’ toirt urram don Òigh Mhoire agus chaidh a sgrìobhadh aig àm riaghladh rìgh Alfonso X anns an treas linn deug. Dh’ionnsaich Fiona an t-òran seo airson pàirt seinn a bh' aice ann an fhilm mòr mun rìgh Raibeart Bruis.

This medieval song is a Cantiga de Santa María and part of a collection of monophonic songs in the Galician language.   Brian translated the verses into Gaelic. 

Rosa das rosas e Fror das frores
Dona das donas, Sennor das sennores

Ròs làn bòidhchead is àilleachd ghrinn
Is flùr de shonas is toileachas binn
A bhean-uasal làn tròcair anns a h-uile sian
'S Tighearna son faochadh a thoirt dhuinn

Bu chòir gaol a bhith againn air rùnach mar seo
Faodaidh i donas sam bith a theanachd
'S faodaidh i maitheanas a thoirt do gach nì
Gus slànaighear ùr a chruthachadh don t-saoghal

'S fheàrr dhuinn gaol ar cridhe a thoirt dhi
Cumaidh i sinne bho thuiteam on t-slìgh'
Fàgaidh i aithreachas oirnn airson gach seachrain
A rinn sinn mar pheacaich uile le miann

An tè seo ris an gabh mi fhìn mar mhaighstir
Bhithinn nam cheòladair dhi gu h-aoibhneach
Nam b’ urrainn dhomh a bhith fo sgèith a gaoil
Sheachnainn mo leannain uile gu deimhinn

Rose of roses and flower of flowers
Lady of ladies, Lord of lords

Rose of beauty and fine appearance
And flower of happiness and sweet pleasure
Mercyful Lady in every way
And Lord for providing relief

Such a Mistress everybody should love
For she can ward away any evil
And she can pardon anything
To create a new saviour for the world

We should love her with all our hearts
For she can keep us from straying
She makes us repent the errors
That we have committed as sinners

This Lady whom I accept as my Master
And whose bard I'd gladly be
If I could be under her shield of love
I'd give up all my other lovers

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