Ave Maria

The text is set as a lullabye, as if Mary were rocking the baby Jesus lovingly in her arms. The music contains a very clear rocking motion which continues throughout the piece until we ask for her to pray for us. The motion stops and there is a hint of chant as we proceed through the words of the rosary, “Blessed art thou, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus. Blessed Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.” The text of the traditional Ave Maria is expanded with a phrase from Ave Dulcissima Maria.
Performance note: Though the piece is written in half time, it should be slow and care needs to be taken that the dotted half notes are not shortened. It should be counted in four and felt in two.

text

Ave Maria, gratia plena:
Ave Maria, Dominus tecum,

Ave dulcissima Maria,
Vera spes et vita dulce refrigerium.

O Maria, flos virginum,
Ora pro nobis, Jesum,

Benedicta tu in mulieribus,
et benedictus ventris tui, Jesus.

Sancta Maria, Mater Dei,
Ora pro nobis peccatoribus,
nunc et in hora mortis nostrae.

Amen.

Hail Mary, full of grace,
Hail Mary, the Lord is with thee.

Hail, sweetest Mary,
true hope and life, sweet comfort.

O Mary, flower of virgins,
pray for us to Jesus.

Blessed art though among women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God,
Pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.