Chris Cornell – Ave Maria

Ave Maria was particularly difficult to decipher since it was written in Shakespearean English, sung to the melody of the Latin version, with traditional English verses mixed together, and altered slightly to fit Cornell’s rhythm (presumably).

I’ve included the traditional English verses parenthetically.

Ave Maria! Maiden mild!

O listen to a maiden’s prayer!

For thou canst hear amid the wild

( For thou canst hear though from the wild)

Tis thou, tis thou canst save amid despair.

We slumber safely ’til the morrow,

(Safe may we sleep beneath thy care,)

Tho’ we, by men, outcast, reviled;

(Tho’ banish’d, outcast, and 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

(The flinty couch we now must share)

Shall seem with down of eider piled,

If thou above, sweet, watch our keeping

(If thy protection hover there.)

The murky cavern’s air’s so heavy

(The murky cavern’s heavy air)

Shall breathe of balm if thou hast smiled;

O maiden! Hear a maiden’s pleading!

(Then, Maiden! hear a maiden’s prayer;)

O mother, hear a suppliant child!

Ave Maria!

Ave Maria! Stainless styled!

O fiends of air and earth the essence

(Foul demons of the earth and air)

From this their wonted haunt exiled

Shall flee before thy holy presence

(Shall fee before thy presence fair)

We bow beneath our care so laden

(We bow us to our lot of care)

To thy dear guidance reconciled;

(Beneath thy guidance reconciled;)

Then hear, O maiden, simple maiden!

(Hear for a maid, a maiden’s prayer;)

And for a father hear a child!

Ave Maria!