The lyrics of this metaphorical
song about the crucifixion
were translated by American author and translator Nathan Haskell Dole
(1852-1935) from the Russian poem Legenda by A N P, which is itself a
translation of the poem "Roses and Thorns" by American Richard Henry Stoddard
(1825-1903).
[Source]
Some people attribute the idea in this to a work by Byzantine saint and poet
Symeon the New Theologian (949–1022) that Christ is a "Garland that never
withereth."
[source].
The tune is by Tchaikowsky, based on a score edited by Ralph L Baldwin (1872 -
1943), which was first published as a four part chorus for mixed voices by G
Schirmer Inc in 1891.
