Ave Maria - Matt Carlson

Ave Maria!

blessed Maid!

Lily of Eden’s fragrant shade!

Who can express the love

that nurtured thee, so pure and sweet,

making thy heart a shelter meet

for Jesus’holy Dove!

Ave Maria!

Mother blest,

to whom, caressing and caressed,

clings the eternal Child;

favored beyond Archangels’dream,

when first on thee with tendered gleam

thy new-born Savior smiled.

Thou wept’st meek Maiden, Mother mild.,

thou wept’st upon thy sinless Child,

thy very heart was riven:

and yet, what mourning matron here

would deem thy sorrows bought too dear

by all on this side heaven!

A Son that never did amiss,

that never shamed his Mother’s kiss,

nor crossed her fondest prayer:

e’en from the Tree he deigned to bow

for her his agonized brow,

her, his sole earthly care.

Ave Maria!

thou whose name

all but adoring love may claim,

yet may we reach thy shrine;

for he, thy Son and Savior, vows

to crown all lowly lofty brows

with love and joy like thine.