A favourite song, or we might almost call it a ballad for Easter, was this one:--
THE THREE MARIES.
Es giengen drî frewlîn also frü
There went three damsels ere break of day, To the Holy Grave they took their way; They fain would anoint the Lord once more As Mary Magdalene did before. Alleluia. | The damsels each to other made moan, "Who will roll us away the stone, That we may enter in amain To anoint the Lord as we are fain? | 86 Full precious spices and salve they brought, But when they came to the spot they sought, Behold the grave doth open stand, An angel sitteth on either hand. | "Ye maidens, be not filled with fear, He whom ye seek, He is not here; Behold the raiment white and fair Which the Lord was wrapped in, lieth there. | "Ye maidens, do not here delay, Ye must to Galilee away; To Galilee ye now must go, For there the Lord Himself will show." | But Mary Magdalene could not depart, Seeking the Lord, she wept apart; What saw she in a little while? She saw our Lord upon her smile. | In garb and wise He met her there As were He a gardener, and did bear A spade within His holy hand, As would He dig the garden land. | "O tell me, gentle Gardener thou, Where hast thou laid my Master now? Where thou hast hidden Him bid me know, Or my heart must break beneath its woe." | Scarce could He speak a single word, Ere she beheld it was the Lord; She kneeleth down on the cold bare stone, She hath found her Lord and she alone. | "Touch me not, Mary Magdalene, But tell the brethren what thou hast seen; Touch me not now with human hand, Until I ascend to my Father's land." Alleluia. | |