Froxfield Choir

Edvard Grieg: Ave Maris Stella (1893)

This a capella setting of four of the verses of the traditional Latin Vesper hymn is a very simple and pure expression of praise for the Virgin Mary.

Ave, maris stella,
Dei Mater alma,
Atque semper Virgo,
Felix caeli porta.

Solve vincla reis,
Profer lumen caecis,
Mala nostra pelle,
Bona cuncta posce

Vitam praesta puram,
Iter para tutum,
Ut videntes Jesum,
Semper collaetemur.

Sit laus Deo Patri,
Summo Christo decus
Spiritui Sancto,
Tribus honor unus. Amen.

Hail, star of the sea,
Loving Mother of God,
And also always a virgin,
Happy gate of heaven.

Break the chains of sinners,
Bring light to the blind,
Drive away our evils,
Ask for all good.

Keep life pure,
Make the journey safe,
So that, seeing Jesus,
We may always rejoice together.

Let there be praise to God the Father,
Glory to Christ in the highest,
To the Holy Spirit,
One honour to all three. Amen.