Oh where to begin with this song...it is one of my most beloved songs and I always play this one at Christmas. Well, I play it a lot actually. I am more of a lover of how it was meant to be heard, in a church setting..
Being of the Catholic faith, this song has special meaning in the church. It is most always played at weddings and at times Midnight Mass. You do not have to be of Catholic faith to enjoy this beautiful song...
"The
original words by Sir Walter Scott are detailed below and include many
references to the Latin "Ave Maria" prayer. This, no doubt, inspired an
unknown person to fit the Latin "Ave Maria" prayer text to Schubert's
notes, and it almost succeeds with a couple of exceptions. The adapted
Latin words of Ave Maria prayer ( Hail Mary ) is now the version most commonly performed with the music of Schubert."
Lyrics
Ave Maria! Ave Maria! maiden mild! Listen to a maiden's prayer! Thou canst hear though from the wild, Thou canst save amid despair. Safe may we sleep beneath thy care, Though banish'd, outcast and reviled - Maiden! hear a maiden's prayer; Mother, hear a suppliant child! Ave Maria!
Ave Maria! undefiled! The flinty couch we now must share Shall seem this down of eider piled, If thy protection hover there. The murky cavern's heavy air Shall breathe of balm if thou hast smiled; Then, Maiden! hear a maiden's prayer; Mother, list a suppliant child! Ave Maria!
Ave Maria! stainless styled! Foul demons of the earth and air, From this their wonted haunt exiled, Shall flee before thy presence fair. We bow us to our lot of care, Beneath thy guidance reconciled; Hear for a maid a maiden's prayer, And for a father hear a child! Ave Maria!
I am posting two videos of this beautiful song, one sung in opera
And the other by Andre Rieu - she gives me chills for sure
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