Ave maris stella
Staff Notation • Sacred, Motets
3 editions of this piece
Different typesettings and voicings of the same work. This page shows the main edition; the others are below.
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Ave maris stella by Anonymous — Lyrics
About Ave maris stella
This setting of the famous Marian antiphon Ave maris stella opens by addressing Mary as the star of the sea, the nurturing Mother of God, ever Virgin, and gate of heaven. The text recounts how Mary received the greeting from Gabriel, and prays that she will bring peace, reversing the curse of Eve. The singers then ask her to release the guilty from their chains, bring light to the blind, and drive away evil, while beseeching all good things for them. It implores her to show herself a mother, accepting prayers through her so that the one born for us might become hers. The piece continues by asking this unique, gentle Virgin to make us chaste and pure, and finally prays for a pure life and a safe journey, so that seeing Jesus we may ever rejoice. The text concludes with praise to God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This SATB motet is sung in Latin.