Today at lunch, watched and listened to the BYU Men's Chorus on the BYU channel. Not pro or con Mormonism but really enjoy the music when they have it. Human voice is a magical instrument and a massive chorus is double magical. One of the songs they did today was “Think on Me” written by Mary, Queen of Scots. See http://landoflauralot.blogspot.com/2007/02/think-on-me.html

“Think of Me” by Mary Queen of Scots

“When I no longer behold thee, think on me. By all mine eyes have told me, think on me. When hearts are lightest, when eyes are brightest, when griefs are slightest, think on me.”

“In mine hours of gladness, think on me. If e'er I soothed thy sadness, think on me. When foes are by thee, when woes are nigh thee, when friends all fly thee, think on me.”

“When thou hast none to cheer thee, think on me. When no fond heart is near thee, think on me. When lonely sighing o'er pleasure flying, when hope is dying, think on me..”

Here is a video of it sung by a young girl. Not a classic but sweet and sounds like it might be Mary herself in Fotheringhay Castle awaiting her execution:

The song itself is haunting the way a bunch of 16th Century songs can be. Don't know if I would put it at the top of any list. But when you combine the music and the words and realize they were written by Mary, Queen of Scots, it takes on a whole new meaning, a real poignancy. Mary wrote the words while imprisoned, probably during her eighteen years at Sheffield Castle. They were set to music by James Mulholland. Was it a religious song, capital Me? A remembrance of her first husband, Francois, and supposedly her only true love? Of her son? A message to the Scots who had given her such a horrible time and kicked her out? Or to her cousin, Elizabeth, who lopped off her head? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Queen_of_Scots)