Ave Maria

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 till 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