For my dear friend, for her children and their families.
Hail, Queen of heaven, the ocean star,
Guide of the wanderer here below;
Thrown on life's surge, we claim thy care;
Save us from peril and from woe.
Mother of Christ, star of the sea,
Pray for the wanderer, pray for me.
O gentle, chaste, and spotless maid,
We sinners make our prayers through thee;
Remind thy Son that He has paid
The price of our iniquity.
Virgin most pure, star of the sea,
Pray for the sinner, pray for me.
Sojourners in this vale of tears,
To thee, blessed advocate, we cry;
Pity our sorrows calm our fears,
And soothe with hope our misery.
Refuge in grief, star of the sea,
Pray for the mourner, pray for me.
And while to Him who reigns above,
In Godhead One, in Persons Three,
The source of life, of grace, of love,
Homage we pay on bended knee,
Do thou, bright Queen, star of the sea,
Pray for thy children, pray for me.
(organ interlude)
Mother of Christ, star of the sea,
Pray for thy children, pray for me.
Text: John Lingard, 1771-1851
Tune: STELLA, 88 88 88; Henri F. Hemy, 1818-1888