O Sanctissima is a Roman Catholic hymn in Latin, seeking the prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and often sung in various languages on her feast days. The earliest known publication occured in London (1792), presenting it as a traditional song from Sicily. All early collectors implied an Italian origin, sometimes more specifically with the title The Sicilian Mariner's Prayer. Yet there is no early Italian publication of the melody, and no original source or date has been confirmed for this simple, yet beautiful melody or its poetic text. German poet Johann Gottfried Herder is said to have heard the hymn on a trip to Italy in 1788, and some years later - in 1807 - he published a German translation of it entitled O du fröhliche" (O, how joyfully).
O Sanctissima O Piissima / O most holy, o most loving
Dulcis Virgo Maria / Sweet Virgin Mary
Mater amata intemerata / Beloved Mother, undefiled
Ora ora pro nobis / Pray, pray for us
Tota pulchraes O Maria / All beautiful, O Mary
Et macula non est in te / And without stain are you
Mater anmata intemerata / Beloved Mother, undefiled
Ora ora pro nobis / Pray, pray for us
Sicut lilium inter spinas / Like a lily among thorns
Sic Maria inter filias / So is Mary among her daughters
Mater amata intemerata / Beloved Mother, undefiled
Ora ora pro nobis / Pray, pray for us
In miseria in angustia / In our misery along the narrow path
Ora Virgo pro nobis / Pray for us, Virgin Maria
Pro nobis ora in mortis hora /
Ora ora pro nobis / Pray, pray for us
O Sanctissima - Daughter's of St. Paul
O Sanctissima - Musica Cordis (arr. by Beethoven)
O Sanctissima - Bing Crosby, from the Bells of St. Mary's
And one last version . . . same text, but set by composer Paul Mealor
O Sanctissima - University of Aberdeen Chamber Choir
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