Ave Maria – English Lyrics

• By: Franz Schubert,Barbara Bonney

Lyrics & Translation

Discover the beauty of the German language through Franz Schubert's iconic "Ave Maria." Originally set to German lyrics from a Walter Scott poem, this song offers a unique opportunity to explore the expressive and poetic qualities of the language. Learning the original text reveals a dramatic narrative and a depth of emotion that transcends its common association with the Latin prayer, making it a truly special piece for any language enthusiast.

[English]

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!

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
maiden /ˈmeɪdən/ A2	noun - a young girl or woman
prayer /ˈpreər/ A2	noun - a solemn request for help or expression of thanks addressed to God
save /seɪv/ B1	verb - to rescue from danger or harm
sleep /sliːp/ A2	verb - to rest with eyes closed during darkness
care /kɛər/ B1	noun - serious attention or consideration verb - to feel interest or concern
guide /ɡaɪd/ B2	noun - a person who directs or shows the way verb - to lead or conduct someone
protect /prəˈtɛkt/ B2	verb - to keep safe from harm or injury
heavy /ˈhɛvi/ B2	adjective - having great weight
danger /ˈdeɪndʒər/ B1	noun - a situation involving risk or threat

Key Grammar Structures

• Thou canst hear though from the wild;

  ➔ Use of archaic 'thou' and 'canst' for 'you' and 'can', along with the adverb 'though'.

  ➔ 'Thou' is an archaic form of 'you', and 'canst' is the archaic form of 'can'.

• Shall seem this down of eider piled,

  ➔ Use of modal 'shall' to indicate future intention or certainty, and passive construction 'seem this down of eider piled'.

  ➔ 'Shall' is a modal verb expressing the future tense or strong intention, often used in formal or poetic language.

• The murky cavern's heavy air

  ➔ Possessive noun phrase 'cavern's heavy air' indicating the air belonging to or within the cavern.

  ➔ The possessive form 'cavern's' indicates that the 'heavy air' belongs to or is characteristic of the cavern.

• Listen to a maiden's prayer!

  ➔ Imperative mood used for giving a command or invitation to listen.

  ➔ Imperative sentences give instructions, commands, or requests, as in 'Listen to a maiden's prayer' to encourage listening.