O Maria Sei Gegrusst (O Mary Hail to Thee) is a traditional Marian hymn dating to the 17th century, with text written by Archbishop Philipp von Schönborn (1656), the melody said to have originated from the then-Kingdom of Bohemia. The hymn is also featured in Advent Concerts, such as those in Bavaria and Salzburg.
The Hymn is a paraphrase of the Hail Mary prayer. It asks Our Lady to pray for us, since God Himself favored her with His highest graces. Being treasurer of all His graces, she also intercedes for us to God, implicitly teaching that she is also Mediatrix. The hymn ends asking for her intercession for us poor sinners, asking her to pray to her Son for us in the hour of death.
O Maria Sei Gegrusst is here interpreted by Lindmair Dreigesang. Other interesting versions can be found here and
here.
Note: the recording only goes through the first three verses - we have included all seven verses below.
Listen to O Maria Sei Gegrusst
Lyrics:
German text
1. O Maria, sei gegrusst!
Die du voll der Gnade bist,
Sei gegrüßt, du höchste Zier,
Gott der Herr ist selbst mit dir.
2. Du bist hoch gebenedeit
Vor den Frauen aller Zeit,
Lob denn der dich heimgesucht
Jesus, deine Leibes Frucht.
3. O Maria, Mutter mild,
Sei du unser Schirm und Schild.
Bitte für uns bei Gott,
Wenn wir sind in Todesnot.
4. Keusche Mütter unsers Herrn,
Deine Fürbitte wir begehren
Hilf uns jetzt und allezeit,
Sonderlich im Todesstreit.
5. Sieh, wir Menschen allzugleich
Seufzen nach dem Himmelreich,
O Maria, steh uns bei,
Dass dein Kind uns Gnad verleih!
6. Ach befiehl uns deinem Sohn,
Dass er unsrer Sünd verschon',
Durch sein heiliges Kreuz und Leid
Führ' uns in die Seligkeit!
7. Mutter Gotte, liebes Frau
Auf uns arme Sünder schau
Bitte Frau uns bei deinem Sohn
Dass er uns in Tod verschon.
English translation:
1. O Mary, hail to thee!
Thou who art full of grace,
Hail, thou highest ornament,
The Lord God himself is with thee.
2. Thou art highly blessed
Among women of all time,
Praised be He who visited thee,
Jesus, the fruit of thy womb.
3. O Mary, gentle Mother,
Be thou our shield and protection.
Pray for us to God,
When we are in the throes of death.
4. Chaste Mother of our Lord,
We desire thy intercession,
Help us now and always,
Especially in the struggle of death.
5. Behold, we humans all alike
Sigh for the kingdom of Heaven,
O Mary, stand by us,
That thy Son may grant us grace!
6. Ah, commend us to thy Son,
That He may spare us from our sins,
Through His holy cross and suffering,
Lead us into blessedness!
7. Mother of God, beloved Lady,
Look upon us poor sinners,
Pray for us, Lady, to thy Son,
That He may spare us in death.
