Did you know that the music for one of the most famous songs in the world, 'Ave Maria', was never actually composed for it? So what is the origin story of, and what are the lyrics to 'Ave Maria'? Read on for the 'Ave Maria' lyrics and backstory.
Who wrote 'Ave Maria'?
In 1825, Schubert actually had another poem in mind when he wrote the music to what we now know as Ave Maria. Walter Scott's The Lady of the Lake was the intended text, and while it does open with the lyrics Ave Maria! maiden mild, it is no longer the text we think of when we hear the song.
Perhaps this shared opening was what prompted singers and arrangers in the years after Schubert's death to consider setting the ancient Catholic prayer to Schubert's music instead, creating the version we've come to recognise.
'Ave Maria' lyrics
Ave Maria, gratia plena, Maria, gratia plena, Maria, gratia plena, Ave, Ave, Dominus, Dominus tecum. Benedicta tu in mulieribus, et benedictus, Et benedictus fructus ventris (tui), Ventris tui, Jesus. Ave Maria!
Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, Ora pro nobis peccatoribus, Ora, ora pro nobis; Ora, ora pro nobis peccatoribus, Nunc et in hora mortis, In hora mortis nostrae. In hora, hora mortis nostrae, In hora mortis nostrae. Ave Maria!
What are the lyrics to 'Ave Maria' in English?
Here are the 'Ave Maria' lyrics in English:
Hail Mary, full of grace, Mary, full of grace, Mary, full of grace, Hail, Hail, the Lord The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed, Blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Thy womb, Jesus. Hail Mary!
Holy Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us sinners, Pray, pray for us; Pray for us sinners, Now, and at the hour of our death, The hour of our death. The hour, the hour of our death, The hour of our death. Hail Mary!
Want to play 'Ave Maria'? Buy the sheet music below
The best recordings of 'Ave Maria'
NOw we're done with the lyrics to 'Ave Maria', let's discuss some of the piece's best recordings...
Marian Anderson and Kosti Vehanen Let Freedom Ring! JSP JSP683
Irmgard Seefried, Erik Werba The Art of Irmgard Seefried, Vol. 4 Eloquence ELQ4807230
Another fine version is sung by Renée Fleming, whom we named as one of the best American singers of all time. Renée is joined here by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Andreas Delfs for Sacred Songs (Decca 4756450)
Read our reviews of the latest Schubert recordings here
Find out more about Schubert and his works here