Cyberia - The City of Ladies

This piece, found in the library was written for festivities in early Medieval Spain.  The whole town would involve themselves in these events, which would usually last for days at a time.  The text dates from around 1100, so is interesting to relate to as a part of history, and it made me think of ancient cities and who must have lived there.

Red Book of Montserrat - Round Dance

Resplendent star on the mountain, like a sunbeam miraculously glowing, hear the people.

All joyous people come together: rich and poor, young and old,
climb the mountain to see with their own eyes, and return from it filled with grace.

Rulers and magnates of royal stripes, the mighty of the world, possessing grace,
proclaim their sins, beating their breast, and call on bended knee: Ave Maria.

Prelates and barons with their noble suite, all monks and also priests,
soldiers, merchands, citizens, sailors, townspeople and fishermen are praising here.

Peasants, ploughmen and also scribes, advocates, stone-masons and all carpenters,
tailors and shoemakers and also weavers, all craftsmen thank here.

Queens, countesses, illustrious ladies of power and maidens, young girls,
virgins and old women and widows, climb the mountain, and also nuns.

The community is gathered here to make a vow, to give thanks and to fulfil the vow for the glory of this place,
so that all may see and return in joy, partaking of salvation.

We shall all - of both sexes - pray, and full of humility confess our sins to the glorious virgin,
mother of clemency, so that in heaven we may be with the merciful.

(Full lyrics are available through a Google search.)