Ave Maris Stella

Ave Maris Stella (Latin, "Hail Star of the Sea") is a plainsong Vespers hymn to Mary from about the eighth century. It was especially popular in the Middle Ages and has been used by many composers as the basis of other compositions. The creation of the original hymn has been attributed to several people, including Bernard of Clairvaux (12th century), Saint Venantius Fortunatus (6th century) and Hermannus Contractus (11th century). The text is found in 9th-century manuscripts, kept in Vienna and in the Abbey of Saint Gall.

The melody is found in the Irish plainsong "Gabhaim Molta Bríde", a piece in praise of St. Bridget. The popular modern hymn Hail Queen of Heaven, the Ocean Star, is loosely based on this plainsong original.

The Latin text of the hymn as authorized for use in the Liturgy of the Hours of the Roman Rite (ordinary form) is the following:

Dei mater alma,
atque semper virgo,
felix cœli porta.

Nurturing Mother of God,
And ever Virgin
Happy gate of Heaven

Gabrielis ore,
funda nos in pace,
mutans Evæ nomen.

From the mouth of Gabriel,
Establish us in peace,
Transforming the name of "Eva" (Eve).

profer lumen cæcis,
mala nostra pelle,
bona cuncta posce.

Send forth light to the blind,
Our evil do thou dispel,
Entreat (for us) all good things.

sumat per te precem
qui pro nobis natus
tulit esse tuus.

Through thee may he receive prayer
Who, being born for us,
Undertook to be thine own.

inter omnes mitis,
nos culpis solutos
mites fac et castos.

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Wikipedia