Basque Carol
Paraphrased by Sabine Baring-Gould
Botticelli, Annunciazione di Cestello
his wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame
"All hail," said he, "thou lowly maiden Mary,
most highly favored lady," Gloria!
all generations laud and honor thee,
thy Son shall be Emmanuel, by seers foretold,
most highly favored lady," Gloria!
"To me be as it pleaseth God," she said,
"my soul shall laud and magnify his holy name."
Most highly favored lady, Gloria!
in Bethlehem, all on a Christmas morn,
and Christian folk throughout the world ever say--
"Most highly favored lady," Gloria!