Meaning of “Ave Maria” (Song)
The best way to describe “Ave Maria”, using modern terminology, is as it being part of the soundtrack to an early 19th century poem entitled “The Lady of the Lake”. In other words, when Franz Schubert wrote this piece, he did so with one of the poem’s fictitious characters in mind. And that would be a lady by the name of Ellen.
During the third canto of “The Lady of the Lake”, Ellen, who was apparently loved by many, was overheard singing by another character named Roderick. And what she was putting forth was a hymn, i.e. a prayer, to the Virgin Mary. Said hymn is actually detailed in the poem itself. Basically what Ellen is doing throughout is entreating the Virgin Mary to help her throughout a harrowing ordeal.
So Schubert expounds on this part of the narrative by likewise asking this spiritual figure to intervene on behalf of Ellen. In fact some of the wording of the song is borrowed from Ellen’s hymn as depicted in the poem. And what the singer is doing is likewise asking Mary to look after Ellen. That said, it should be noted that the latter’s name is never actually dropped in the lyrics. And in a more general sense, as Ellen has done herself, he is depicting the world as a place where regular divine protection is needed.
Facts about “Ave Maria”
The proper name of this song is “Ellens Dritter Gesang” or “Ellens Gesang III”, which translates from German as “Ellen’s Third Song”.
It went on to be popularly referred to as “Ave Maria”. The term Ave Maria, when translated from Latin into English, reads as Hail Mary. And it ultimately being called by this title is due to the fact that said phrase is used prominently throughout the tune.
The writer of this song was based on a poem entitled “The Lady of the Lake” (1810) by Walter Scott.
The official release date of “Ave Maria” has been noted as 6 November 1852. It is one of seven songs, including the first two songs of Ellen, which Schubert wrote that were set upon “The Lady of the Lake”.
Notable Usage
This song has been famously covered in Disney’s 1940 animated classic “Fantasia”.
It has also been notably featured in other old-timey classic movies such as “Bride of Frankenstein” (1935) and “Going My Way” (1944). Also interesting to note is that Luigi Vega performed this song in 1963 at the funeral of US President John F. Kennedy.
Beyoncé dropped her own rendition of “Ave Maria” on her 2008 album “I Am… Sasha Fierce”.
In 2020 Christian Aguilera sang it at the memorial service of NBA great Kobe Bryant.
Other Versions and Notable Covers
- Franz Liszt made two versions of “Ave Maria”, with the first written in 1846 and second in 1852. He had changed the words of the song to what we know of it now, being the prayer of “Hail Mary”.
- Charles Gounod published his version in 1853 under a different title of “Meditation sur le Premier Prelude de Piano de S. Bach”. Gounod’s version has been used multiple times in popular culture.
- Anton Bruckner released multiple versions of the song between 1856 and 1861.
- J. Brahms and Edward Elgar composed their versions of “Ave Maria” in 1858 and 1887, respectively.
- Giuseppe Verdi Verdi composed his version in 1889 and revised it in 1897. It was used in the last act of his opera “Otello” that was influenced by Shakespeare’s play Othello.
- Pietro Mascagni used “Ave Maria” as an interlude to his opera “Cavalleria Rusticana” in 1890.
- Vladimir Vavilov recorded his version of “Ave Maria” in 1972 anonymously due to Russia being a Soviet Union and the song would be considered as “Anti-Soviet”.
Over the years, there have been many famous performances with the different versions of “Ave Maria”. These include performances by:
- Andrea Bocelli
- Maria Callas
- Celine Dion
- Josh Groban
- Charlotte Church
- Luciano Pavarotti
- André Rieu and Mirusia
- Nina Solodovnikova
- Celtic Woman
“Ave Maria” in “The Batman”
“Ave Maria” actually serves as an important plot device in the 2022 DCEU film “The Batman“. It is primarily associated with Paul Dano’s depiction of the Edward Nashton, aka the Riddler, who is the chief antagonist in the flick.
It has been noted that “Ave Maria” is a popular funeral tune, and accordingly within the movie it is used to foreshadow death. Moreover the film reportedly commences with a vocal rendition of the song. This version is recited by the London-based Tiffin Boys’ Choir (though within the storyline being done so by a choir that Edward Nashton himself is a part of). Additionally, later in the movie it is sung by the Riddler. And an instrumental version of “Ave Maria”, slowed down to a lower tempo, also serves as the villain’s theme music.
Usage in “Hitman”
“Ave Maria” appears in the popular 2006 Eidos Interactive videogame Hitman: Blood Money. It has also been recognized as “the theme song” to the entire Hitman franchise wherein this piece, once again actually being religious in nature, had reportedly first been “villainzed”. To note, it was also included on the soundtrack of the 2007 Hitman live-action film. This movie stars Timothy Olyphant in the titular role.
Why “Ave Maria” is very Popular
One of the reasons this song has persisted throughout the years is due to its religious connotation. However, it has been noted that it was not created with the intent of being used in such a context. But due to its prominent usage of the phrase “Ave Maria”, it has been intertwined with a Catholic prayer of the same name, whose origins actually predate Franz’s work by centuries.
Who was Franz Schubert?
In modern times Franz is considered to be one of the greatest composers of his era. However, it has been noted that prior to his passing many of his songs were not even published. But “Ave Maria” was one of the few which did in fact find success before his untimely death at the age of 31.
What Language is “Ave Maria” in?
The lyrics of this song are purely sung in Latin. “Ave Maria” is Latin for “Hail Mary”, which is commonly used in many Christian and Lutheran sects such as Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodox.
Interestingly, Schubert never titled this song as “Ave Maria” but instead, it was called “Ellens dritter Gesang” in German which translates to English meaning, “Ellen’s Third Song”. It was the sixth part of Sir Walter Scott’s 1810 seven-part narrative poem titled ‘The Lady of the Lake’. The series of poems contained elements of Scottish history, which was then loosely translated in German before Schubert picked it up as his inspiration.
“Ave Maria” was referenced in the song, however the meaning behind it is very much different from what is popularly known currently. The story goes back to 1825, when Schubert created a series of seven songs from Sir Walter Scott’s narrative poem. In the sixth installation, it speaks about being James Douglas and his daughter, Ellen Douglas aka ‘The Lady of the Lake’ being exiled by King James and rejecting to join Roderick Dhu of Clan Alpine, making them move to the Goblin’s cave. Ellen sings a prayer to the Virgin Mary, Jesus’ mother, calling for aid. On his quest, Roderick Dhu hears her prayer from a distance, causing him to pause before going to battle.
“Ave Maria” (Schubert’s version)
Ellen’s prayer is filled with despair and anguish as she begs for the Virgin Mary to save her humble child.
She believes that in her care, they may sleep safely even through the current hardships evolving banishment and war.
The Virgin Mary has been attributed by her purity throughout history, which is no different to how Ellen portrays her here.
The repeated line “Maiden! Hear a maiden’s prayer” could be in reference to how Mary was chosen by God when she was a young, unmarried woman to bear the son of God, Jesus. Ellen, being a maiden herself, is thus calling out for help to someone who would see her sorrow, as a woman.
She then acknowledges Mary to be the Mother of Christ, and of those who believe, to hear the humble cries of her child.
In the Bible’s book according to Luke 1:34-35, it is written ““How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.”” This shows that Mary was pure at the time she conceived Jesus, which Ellen portrays in her prayer.
Ellen goes on to speak of the harsh reality being in the Goblin’s cave – the hardness of the rocks and the gloominess of being in a cave. She prays for the Virgin Mary to not only protect them but make living in the cave more comfortable.
At the end, Ellen’s prayer brings about a sense of accepting defeat after having gone through enough hardships. They reconcile under the Virgin Mary’s guidance, and with a last call to God to hear his child’s prayer.