1.

Which songs are included in this listing?

To be included in this listing:
Both the words "Ave" and "Maria," or their equivalent in a different language need to be in the song title or text.

2.

Is this listing complete?

No, it is not. This listing is not, and never will be complete.

3.

a. How is this website organized?

The listing is alphabetic by composer name.

b. What are those little pictures on the left side of the listing for?

 The icons indicate the archival status for that song.  

Many of these icons still have links. These links may still work, many will not.

4.

This song has "Ave Maria" as title, but does not have the text of the "Ave Maria" prayer?

Comment by Karen Mercedes: There are a number of songs and arias entitled "Ave Maria" that are not, in fact, settings of the traditional "Ave Maria" [prayer] text. While some of these are lovely songs they are not true Ave Marias. The most famous of these is Schubert's "Ellens Gesang III", Op. 52 No. 4 D.839. [set to a German translation of "Lady of the Lake"]  Other composers who have written songs entitled "Ave Maria" but using other texts include:

Additional avemariasongs.org comments:

5.

a. Bach never wrote an "Ave Maria! (He was a protestant ...)

Bach, or whomever else this may apply to. There are quite a few Ave Maria songs that didn't start out that way. It is a very common practice to "graft" the Ave Maria text onto a popular melody or song that may never have been intended to be a religious song.

b. ... and protestants don't pray to Maria!

1. You are misinformed. Some protestants may not wish to pray to Maria. A lot of protestants do pray to Maria.
   See also: Martin Luther's views on Mary John Calvin's views on Mary
    
2. This comment came from a "Bible-only" protestant.
   It seems strange to me that otherwise well-educated people would claim that they can study an important historic book like the Bible without placing it in its historic context, i.e. next to other sources of relevant information including but not limited to other writings of the same period.

6.

a. Where can I find the score? Will you give it to me?

Yes, maybe, no.  Meaning, it depends.
Before you ask, please so check the listing to see if there is a score icon in the first box of that line.

1. If there is no score icon in the first box of the listing, I do not have a score for that song.
   If I don't have it, I can't give it to you. Don't ask.
2. If there is an icon that looks like this  , the score is available on the Sibelius website. Please, get it there.
   If there is an icon that looks like this , I do have a score available. That can be an original publication, or a typeset or manuscript copy.
   1. The icons may be linked to other websites. If that song has its own page, there may be additional links available there as well.
      1. There are many external links throughout my website for scores that are available on other websites.
         Please try those first.
      2. If those links don't work anymore, send me an email infoavemariasongsorg
          
   2. If I have a score and it is still under copyright, I'm not allowed to give you a copy.
      However, if I found it on the internet, I'll tell you what I found and where I found it.
      I might also be able to tell you where you can purchase a score.
       
   3. If the song is not under copyright, I'll gladly share with you what I have.

b. And what about the music?

7.

Purpose of this WebSite:

Davies Gilbert, in the Preface to his landmark 1822 edition Some Ancient Christmas Carols, wrote:

The Editor is desirous of preserving them in their actual forms ...  as specimens of times now passed away, and of religious feelings ... . He is anxious also to preserve them on account of the delight they afforded him in his childhood, .../... .

8.

a. I hear two songs at the same time ...

That would be annoying.

1. Check if there isn't another browser window open that is also playing music.

2. If there is more than 1 player on a page, and you want to start playing a song before the previous one was finished, you do need to manually stop the active player before you start the next song.

3. If both songs start playing automatically when you open a page, there is a programming error.
   If you come upon such a page, please let me know,  and I'll get it fixed.

b. Is there supposed to be music playing? I don't hear anything.

9.

This is wrong!

And you may well be right. With a project of this size, there are bound to be a few errors.
If you see something that you think is wrong, don't get all upset about it. Send me an email at infoavemariasongsorg
Do by all means include the URL of the page, as well as what you think is wrong and why you think it is wrong.
It will be very helpful if you would provide some source to document your correction.
 

Introduction of "Ancient Mysteries Described" by William Hone (1823):

"Lastly, I am bound to confess the existence of a few errors, not affecting the sense, that were discovered too late for correction, though in sufficient time to enable me to affirm, as a warning to others, that the worst editor of an author's writings is himself."

10

This link doesn't work!