Ave maria! maiden mild!
o listen to a maiden's prayer!
for thou canst hear amid the wild
tis thou, tis thou canst save amid despair.
we slumber safely 'til the morrow,
tho' we, by men, outcast, reviled;
o maiden! see a maiden's sorrow
o mother, hear a suppliant child!
ave maria!
Ave maria! undefiled!
the flinty couch whereon we're sleeping
shall seem with down of eider piled,
if thou above, sweet, watch our keeping
the murky cavern's air's so heavy
shall breathe of balm if thou hast smiled;
o maiden! hear a maiden's pleading!
o mother, hear a suppliant child!
ave maria!
Ave maria! stainless styled!
o fiends of air and earth the essence
from this their wonted haunt exiled
shall flee before thy holy presence
We bow beneath our care so laden
to thy dear guidance reconciled;
then hear, o maiden, simple maiden!
and for a father hear a child!
ave maria!