singable English translation of Ave Maria?

Question

Can anyone direct me to an English translation of the Ave Maria as set by Gounod, where the words fit the notes?

I've come across literal translations online, which explain what the Latin words mean, but they are not singable with the given notes.

Hope that makes sense!
Oh, I'm looking for something *besides* the Bono/Pavarotti performance.

Thanks!
Linda

Answer 1

I think you might have to arrange the words yourself from one of those literal translations.

Answer 2

The words are the prayer "Hail Mary." They won't fit the music, however:

Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Usually it is just sung in Latin, and once you do that a few times, it's not that difficult to do. Also, singing it in Latin provides you with the perfect pure vowels which will make the sound beautiful.

Answer 3

Latin is very hard to translate into English because they're so different. Why not sing it in Latin? The words aren't hard; Latin almost always sounds exactly as it's written once you know the few basic rules. However this version seems to fit;

Ave Maria! maiden mild!
Listen to a maiden's prayer!
Thou canst hear though from the wild,
Thou canst save amid despair.
Safe may we sleep beneath thy care,
Though banish'd, outcast and reviled -
Maiden! hear a maiden's prayer;
Mother, hear a suppliant child!
Ave Maria!

Ave Maria! undefiled!
The flinty couch we now must share
Shall seem this down of eider piled,
If thy protection hover there.
The murky cavern's heavy air
Shall breathe of balm if thou hast smiled;
Then, Maiden! hear a maiden's prayer;
Mother, list a suppliant child!
Ave Maria!

Ave Maria! stainless styled!
Foul demons of the earth and air,
From this their wonted haunt exiled,
Shall flee before thy presence fair.
We bow us to our lot of care,
Beneath thy guidance reconciled;
Hear for a maid a maiden's prayer,
And for a father hear a child!
Ave Maria!

However I think it's very unsatisfactory, and personally I'd sing it in the original latin.