English translation of Alma redemptoris mater / Ave regina caelorum

by Josquin des Prez (c1440 - 1521), "Alma redemptoris mater / Ave regina caelorum" [ four-part chorus ], note: the top & bottom voices sing Alma redemptoris, the middle 2 voices sing Ave regina

Note: this is a translation of one multi-text setting.

Alma Redemptoris Mater,
Quae pervia coeli 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.

Text Authorship:

See other settings of this text.

Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
Ave, Regina coelorum,
Ave, Domina Angelorum:
Salve radix, salve porta,
Ex qua mundo lux est orta:
Gaude, Virgo gloriosa,
Super omnes speciosa!
Vale, o valde decora,
Et pro nobis Christum exora.

Text Authorship:

See other settings of this text.

Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
Author(s): Bible or other Sacred Texts 
Dear mother of our redeemer,
Who remain the open gate of heaven
And star of the sea, come to the help of your failing
People who try to rise up.

You who bore your own holy Creator,
As Nature stood amazed,
Virgin both before and after,
Who took up that "Hail!" from the lips of Gabriel,
Have pity on a sinner.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from Latin to English copyright © 2012 by David Wyatt, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
    Contact: 

Based on:

Go to the general single-text view


Hail queen of heaven
Hail mistress of the angels
Hail the root of holiness, hail the gate [of heaven]
From whom light rose on the world;
Rejoice glorious virgin
Beautiful above all;
Farewell, most noble one,
Pray to Christ for us always.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from Latin to English copyright © 2012 by David Wyatt, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
    Contact: 

Based on:

Go to the general single-text view


Translation © by David Wyatt