Skip to main content

Music for Advent

Music for Advent

Marian Music by Titles and Categories

The following is a compilation of Marian hymns from major Protestant and Catholic hymnals. 

Sources: Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant. Traditional, Contemporary, Original.
Based on: Scripture, Liturgy, Patristics, Contemporary Spirituality.
Categories: chant, traditional, contemporary, ecumenical, art songs.

CHANT
TRADITIONAL
CONTEMPORARY
ECUMENICAL
ART SONGS / GREAT COMPOSERS


CHANT

Alma Redemptoris Mater: 

Alma redemptoris Mater, quae pervia caeli porta manes, Et Stella maris, succurre cadenti surgere qui curat populo: Tu quae genuisti, natura mirante, tuum, sanctum Genitorem: Virgo prius ac posterius, Gabrielis ab ore, sumens illud Ave, peccatorum miserere. 
(Ant. -Liber, pp. 273-4 & p. 277)

Ave Maria: 

Ave Maria, gratia plena: dominus tecum: benedicta tu in mulieribus. 
(Al. vs. - Liber, p. 1266)

Ave Maria: 

Ave Maria, gratia plena: Dominus tecum. Benedicta tu in mulieribus: et Benedictus fructus ventris tui. Ecce concipies, et paries filium, et vocabis nomen ejus Emmanuel. Quomodo, inquit, fiet istud, quoniam virum non cognosco? Et respondens Angelus dixit pi. Spiritus Sanctus superveniet in te, et virtus Altissimi obumbrabit tibi. Ideoque quod nascetur ex te Sanctum, vocabitur Filius Dei. 
(Tract. -Liber, pp. 1412-13)

Ave Maria: 

Ave Maria, gratia plena: dominus tecum: bendicta tu in mulieribus, alleluia. 
(Offert. -Liber, p. 1318)

Ave Maria: 

Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum: benedicta tu in mulieribus, et benedictus fructus ventris tui. 
(Offert. -Liber, p. 355 & p. 1268)

Ave Maria: 

Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum, benedicta tu in mulieribus, et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Jesus. Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus, nunc et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen. 
(Ant. -Liber, p. 1861)

Ave gratia plena: 

Ave gratia plena, Dominus tecum, benedicta tu in mulieribus. 
(Offert. - Liber, p. 1379)

Top


TRADITIONAL

An Angel Came to Nazareth: 

An angel came to Nazareth, a town of Galilee, To bring our world a bright, new dawn, to bring the blind to see. 
That angel spoke to Mary's heart. He told her not to fear. Her God had filled her soul with grace; The end of time! was near. 
So God made known his final plan to save and sancitfy: "Your child will be the Prince of Peace, the Son of God Most High." 
The light. of heaven here came down, a light for faith to see; She trusted in the Lord and said, "Let it be done to me." 
We fail, we falter, Lord, we turn; we wander through the night. We walk in shadows, day by day; we yearn to see the light. 
Remember, Lord we live by faith; remember us, we pray, Both now and when we come to die, when faith will pass away. 
(American, #114)

Angelus ad Virginem: 

Angelus ad virginem subintrans in conclave, virginis formidinem demulcens inquit, "Ave! Ave, regina virginum, coeli terraeque Dominum concipies et paries intacta Salutem hominum; tu porta coeli facta, medela criminum." 
"Quomodo conciperem quae virum non cognovi? Qualiter infringerem quod firma mente vovi?" "Spiritus Sanci gratia perficiet haec omnia; ne timeas, sed gaudias, secura quod castimonia manebit in te pura Dei potentia." 
Ad haec virgo nobilis respondens inquit ei: "Ancilla sum humilis omnipotentis Dei. Tibi coelesti untio tanti secreti conscio, consentiens, et cupiens videre factum quod audio; parata sum arere, Dei consilio." 
Angelus disparuit, et statim puellaris uterus intumui vi partus virginalis quo circumdatus utero novum mesium numero; post exiit, et iniit conf1icturm, aff1igens humero; Crucem qua dedit ictum soli mortifero. 
Eia, mater Domini, quae pacem reddidisti angelis et homini, cum Christum genuisti; tuum exora Filium ut se nobi propitium exhibeat, et delat peccata: praestan euxilium vita frui beata post hoc exsilium. 
(Summit #299)

Behold a Virgin Bearing Him: 

Behold a virgin bearing him Who comes to save us from our sin; The prophets cry: prepare his way! Make straight his paths to Christmas Day. 
Behold our Hope and Life and Light, The promise of the holy night; We lift our prayer and bend our knee To his great love and majesty. 
(PMB, #8)

Gabriel to Mary Sent: 

Gabriel to Mary sent, Bowed low in her chaste dwelling. Thus he spoke of God's intent, His words all fear dispelling: 'Hail, Queen of virgins, God greets thee! The Lord of earth and sky and sea Shall be thy Son, Thy darling One, O maiden, Heav'n's gate now shall thou be; O hope of men sin-laden, Thy Son shall set them free'.
Mary pondered, 'What means this? A maid I am for ever: Giv'n to God is another's bliss; God's bond I ne'er will sever!' The angel said, 'The Spirit's power Shall rest on thee at this blest hour, So do not fear; Be of good cheer, for surely Thy spotless love shall flower In God's own Son all purely, Thy virgin womb his bower', 
Straightway Mary made reply: 'Behold the handmaid lowly of almighty God on high Whose Name is ever holy. Thou art His envoy from above, Entrusted with His plan of love: Take my consent! My one intent His pleasure, To serve Him all my task. His will is my whole treasure, Whatever He may ask!' 
Thank we Mary for our Lord, Her Son we thank Who saved us, Peace with God is our reward, Where sin before enslaved us. Dear Son of Mary, smile on those Whom Thou hast saved from endless woes: The human race Is by thy grace forgiven. Do thou at exile's close, Who has for us sore striven, Grant us thy blest repose. 
(Summit #298)

Hail, Mary, Full of Grace: 

Hail, Mary, full of grace, Hail, flow'r of Adam's race, Who gave the Son of God a dwelling; He found a place of rest Within your sinless breast: Oh, wonderful beyond all telling! 
Hail, Queen enthroned above, Hail , miracle of love And wondrous work of God's perfection; O lovely morning star Clear shining from a far, We sinners hope for your protection. 
Through you all graces flow To men on earth below; through you isevry favor given; Help us to conquer sin That we may enter in through you, O blessed gate, to heaven. 
(New St. Basil, #145)

Hail , Thou Star of Morning: 

Hail , thou star of morning Thou herald of the Sun Whose light the day adorning Revealed the Holy One! Ref. Noel, noel noel! Ere time was, e'en then God chose thee to His mother, Thou pride of Christian men 
From our God supernal Sped mighty Gabriel, Touching the Son eternal Good tidings for to tell: Ref. 
God's high Spirit holy Shall overshadow thee And make thee, Maiden lowly, His spotless blide to be. Noel. Quoth she, Here behold me, The handmaid of the Lord; Be it, as thou hast told me, According to thy word! Noel.
Mary, sweet and tender, Thy Son is God on high, Th'eternal Father's splendor, As Scriptures testify. noe'l. 
(Summit # 301)

Lady of the Visitation: 

Lady of the Visitation, Daughter of a royal name, Where so quickly are you running, Glowing with the Spirit's flame? 
Christ it is you bear within you; love it is that leads you on To attend your holy cousin At the birth of John, her son. 
See, Elizabeth in greeting Comes to meet you with the word: 'Blest art thou among all women,' Words as woman never heard. 
Blessed is the fruit of thy womb', So your cousin claims her Lord, Him Who lies within your body, King Immortal, Christ adored. 
Honor, glory, praise and power Be to You, the Virgin's Son, With the Father and the Spirit, While eternal ages run. 
(N.Basil #150)

Lo, How a Rose e'er Blooming: 

Lo, how a Rose e'er blooming From tender stem has sprung of Jesse's lineage coming As those of old have sung. It came, a Flow'ret bright, Amid the cold of winter, When half- spent was the night. 
Isaiah 'twas foretold it, The Rose I have in mind, With Mary we behold it, The Virgin Mother kind. To show God's love aright. She bore to us a Savior, When half-spent was the night. 
This Flow'r whose fragrance tender with sweetness fills the air, Dispels with glorious splendor The darkness ev'ry where. True Man, yet very God, From sin and death he saves us And lightens ev'ry load. 
(PMB #13)

Maria Walks Amid the Thorn: 

Maria walks amid the thorn, Kyrie eleison. Maria walks amid the thorn Which for seven years not a leaf has borne, Jesus and Maria. 
What 'neath her heart does Mary bear: Kyrie eleison. A little child does Mary bear; Beneath her heart the Son is there, Jesus and Maria. 
Lo, roses bloom upon the thorn, Kyrie eleison. As the Christ-Child through the wood is borne Lo, Roses bloom upon, the thorn. Jesus and Maria. 
(Summit, #313)

Portal of the World's Salvation: 

Portal of the world's Salvation, Lo a virgin pure and mild, Humble-hearted a high in station, Form of beauty undefiled, crown of the earth's anticipation, comes the mother-maid with Child. 
Here, the serpent's power subduing, See the bush unburnt by fire, Gideon's fleece of heaven's imbuing, Aaron's rod of bright attire, Fair and pure and peace-ensuing Spouse of Solomon's desire. 
Jesse's branch received it Flower, Mother of Emmanual, Portal sealed and mystic bower promised by Ezekiel, Rock of Daniel's dream, whose power Smote and lo, the image fell! 
See in, in flesh so great a wonder By the power of God ordained, --Him, Whose feet all. worlds lay under, In a virgin's womb contained; So on earth her bonds to sunder, Righeousness from heaven hath rained. 
Virgin Sweet, with love o'er flowing, To the Hills in hastle she Fares; On a kindered Hert bestowing blessing from the joy she bears; Waiting while with mystic showing time the sacred birth prepares. 
What fair joy o'ershone that dwelling, Called so great a guest to greet; What her joy whose love, compelling Found a rest for Mary's feet, When, the bliss of time foretelling, Lo, the voice and Word did meet! 
God most high, the heaven's Foundation Ruler of eternity; Jesu Who for man's salvation came in flesh to make us free; Spirit, moving all creation, Evermore be praise to Thee! 
(Summit, #315)

See How the Virgin Waits: 

See how the Virgin waits for him; Mary in wonder waits for him. Shake off your slumber; come all full of wonder. Jesus is coming as the Prince of Peace. 
(Journey #166)

To the Hill Country of Judah: 

To the hill country of Juda, allelu, Hastens the young virgin Mary, allelu: Ref. Allelu, alleluia, Allelu, alleluia, sing to her Son. 
Meet her all creatures, with gladness, alllelu; bearing the hope of creation, allelu: Ref. Let us exult with the Virgin, allelu, waiting for Jesus the Light, allelu: Ref. 
(Summit, #313)

Top


CONTEMPORARY

Ave Maria: 

Ave Maria, gratia plena, O holy Mary full of grace; dominus tecum, with you the Holy One. Such is Your gift to know God in your heart. 
Benedicta, blest among Women. Benedictus, the child that you bore: Jesus the savior, God's love incarnate, benedicta, deep woman of faith. Ave Maria, Ave, Ave Maria. 
Santa Maria, Holy Mary, Mater Dei, Mother of God: Ora pro nobis, pray for our faithfulness all through the seasons of life with hope and with love. Ora pro nobis, pray for faithfulness all through the seasons of life with hope and with love. 
(Journey #886)

Ave Maria: 

Hail Mary full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among all women, Blest, is the fruit, of your womb. 
Ref .: Jesus, formed in your faith, Ave Maria alleluia. Jesus, born in your love, Ave Maria alleluia. Holy Mary, mother of God, the Lord is with you. Pray for us sinners, Pray for us sinners, Now and at the hour of our death. Ref. 
(Gather II, #565)

Hail Mary:  Gentle Woman: 

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blest is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of death. Amen. 
Ref.: Gentle woman, quiet light, morning star, so Strong and bright, gentle Mother, peaceful dove, teach us wisdom; teach us love. 
You were chosen by the Father; you were chosen for the son. You were chosen from all women and for woman, shing one. Ref. 
Blessed are you among women, blest in turn all women, too. Blessed they with peaceful spirits. Blessed they with gentle hearts. Ref. 
(Gather II, #564)

Mary's Joy: 

Gabriel spoke to Mary, Alleluia! "Soon in your womb you will carry," Alleluia! "one who rules for eternity," Alleluia! Mary replied: "Be it done to me ," Alleluia! 
Mary went off to the hill country, Alleluia! Visited Elizabeth happily, Alleluia! "Praise the Lord, O my soul," she sang, Alleluia! And her song through the ages rang, Alleluia! 
Mary in Bethlehem gave birth, Alleluia! To the savior of all the earth, Alleluia! She is Virgin and Mother, Alleluia! He is the Godman, our Brother, AlIeluia! 
Glory be to the Father, Alleluia! Glory be to His only son, Alleluia! Glory be to the Spirit, Alleluia! Glory be to the Three-in-One, Alleluia! 
(Journey #231)

Top


ECUMENICAL

Savior of the Nations, Come: 

Savior of the nations, come; Virgin's Son, here make thy home! Marvel now, O heaven and earth, that the Lord chose such a birth. 
Not by human flesh and blood; by the Spirit of our God was the Word of God made flesh, woman's offspring, pure and fresh. 
Wondrous birth! O wondrous Child of the Virgin undefiled! human and divine in one, eager now his race to run! 
God the Father is his source, back to God he runs his course; down to death and hell descends, God's high throne he reascends. 
Now thy manger's halo bright hallows night with newborn light; let no night this light subdue, let our faith shine ever new. 
(Methodist #214)

The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came: 

The angel Gabriel from heaven came, His wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame; "All hail," said he, "O lowly maiden Mary." Most highly favored lady, Gloria! 
"For now a blessed mother you shall be, All generations praise continually, your son shall be Emmanuel, by seers foretold." Most highly favored lady, Gloria! 
Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head, "To me be as it pleases God," she said, "My soul shall laud and magnify God's holy name." Most highly favored lady, Gloria! 
Of her, Emmanuel, the Christ, was born In Bethlehem, all on a Christmas morn, And Christian folk throughout the world will ever say: Most highly favored lady, Gloria! 
(Presbyterian, #16)

There was a Maid in Nazareth: 

There was a maid in Nazareth, rich with a child was she; this be my prayer, that day by day Christ be in me. 
There was a man all crucified, him every eye did see; here in my heart that cruel hill, his cross, my tree. 
There was a king whom death make prisoner, yet came he free; he will, if I but own his lord, arise in me. 
Blows there a mighty wind, a fire, binding yet setting free, making me one with other hearts, all loving thee. 
(Yale #445)

To a Maid Engaged to Joseph: 

To a maid engaged to Joseph, the angel Gabriel came. "Fear not," the angel told her, "I come to bring good news; good news I come to tell you, good news, I say, good news. 
"For you are highly y favoured by God the lord of all, who even now in with you. You are on earth most blest, you are most blest, most blessed, God chose you, you are blest!" 
But Mary was most troubled to hear the angel's word. What was the angel saying? It troubled to hear, to hear the angel's message, it troubled to her to hear. 
"Fear not, for God is with you, and you shall bear a child. His name shall be called Jesus, God's offspring from on high. And he shall reign forever, forever reign on high." 
"How shall this be? said Mary "I am not yet a wife." The angel answered quickly, "The power of the Most High will come upon you shortly, your child will be God's child." 
As Mary heard the angel, she wondered at his words. "Behold, I am your handmaid, "she said unto her God. "So be it; I am ready according to your word." 
(Methodist, #215)

Top


ART SONGS / GREAT COMPOSERS

Alma Redemptoris - Palestrina

Ave Maria - Arcadelt

Ave Maria - Bach/Gounod

Ave Maria - Brahms

Ave Maria - Bruckner

Ave Maria - De Victoria

Ave Maria - Franck

Ave Maria - Holst

Ave Maria - Mozart

Ave Maria - Schubert

Ave Maria - Stravinsky

Ave Maria - Rachmaninoff

Ave Maria - Verdi

Top


© This material was compiled by Donald Boccardi, S.M. / St. Mary's University / San Antonio, Texas / January 1995. Copyright is reserved for The Marian Library/International Marian Research Institute.

All About Mary includes a variety of content, much of which reflects the expertise, interpretations and opinions of the individual authors and not necessarily of the Marian Library or the University of Dayton. Please share feedback or suggestions with marianlibrary@udayton.edu.

CONTACT

Marian Library

Roesch Library
300 College Park
Dayton, Ohio 45469 - 1390
937-229-4214
Website
Email

Study Mary

Study the theology and history of Mary at the University of Dayton.

Learn More

Keyword Search

Would you like to begin a new keyword search?

Get Started