Hail Holy Queen
Salve Regina
One of the four great Marian antiphons, written in the 11th century and traditionally credited to Hermann of Reichenau, a monk who composed hymns despite a crippling illness. It speaks from exile, calling this life a valley of tears, and asks Mary to show us Jesus when the exile ends. Sailors sang it at nightfall, Dominicans still sing it in procession, and the Rosary closes with it.
Traditional, 11th century; attributed to Hermann of Reichenau
Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy,
our life, our sweetness, and our hope.
To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve;
to thee do we send up our sighs,
mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.
Turn then, most gracious advocate,
thine eyes of mercy toward us,
and after this our exile show unto us
the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
Amen.