AVE MARIS STELLA

Claudio Monteverdi - 1610


Ave maris stella, - Hail, O Star of ocean,

Dei Mater alma - God's own Mother blest,

Atque semper virgo - Ever sinless Virgin,

Felix caeli porta. - Gate of heav'nly rest.


Sumens illud Ave - Taking that sweet Ave

Gabrielis ore, - Which from Gabriel came,

Funda nos in pace, - Peace confirm within us,

Mutans Hevae nomen. - Changing Eva's name.


Solve vincla reis, - Break the sinners' fetters,

Profer lumen caecis, - Make our blindness day,

Mala nostra pelle, - Chase all evils from us,

Bona cuncta posce. - For all blessings pray.


Monstra te esse matrem, - Show thyself a Mother,

Sumat per te preces, - May the Word divine

Qui pro nobis natus, - Born for us thine Infant

Tulit esse tuus. - Hear our prayers through thine.


Virgo singularis, - Virgin all excelling,

Inter omnes mitis. - Mildest of the mild,

Nos culpis solutos, - Free from guilt preserve us

Mites fac et castos. - Meek and undefiled.


Vitam praesta puram, - Keep our life all spotless,

Iter para tutum, - Make our way secure,

Ut videntes Jesum - Till we find in Jesus

Semper collaetemur. - Joy for evermore.


Sit laus Deo Patri, - Praise to God the Father,

Summo Christo decus, - Honour to the Son,

Spiritui Sancto - In the Holy Spirit

Tribus honor unus. Amen. - Be the glory one. Amen.