The famous "Ave Maria" was composed by the Austrian composer Franz Schubert in 1825.
The original title of the music is, actually, "Ellens dritter Gesang", from "Sieben Gesänge aus Walter Scotts Fräulein am See". The lyrics belong to a poem called "The Lady of the Lake", written by Sir Walter Scott in 1810. It was translated into German by Adam Storck. The lyrics were not written by Schubert.
The music became so popular that it was adapted to Latin lyrics, with some slight changes. Nowadays, the music is known as Ave Maria.
Jesper Kyd, who is the composer of Hitman Blood Money and other games of the Hitman franchise, made a version using the German lyrics but with some changes in the lyrics.
Jesper Kyd made other musics to Hitman using catholic themes, and sometimes using Latin lyrics, such as "Apocalypse", and the Main Theme of "Hitman 2: Silent Assassin", which is an adaption from the music "Requiem" by Wolfgang Mozart
The Hitman saga has strong catholic elements surrounding the life of 47. The plot of "Hitman 2: Silent Assassin" is about 47 trying to save his Italian priest friend who was kidnapped, forcing 47 to abandon his “retirement” as an assassin when he was working as a caretaker in a church in Sicilia (Sicily).
"Hitman: Blood Money" has Ave Maria for the main theme.
And "Hitman: Absolution" (the word 'absolution' already has a christian connotation) has more catholic elements. 47 also tries to hide Victoria in a convent, and it seems that the nun had already met 47 before.
"Hitman 2: Silent Assassin" and "Hitman: Absolution" are the best games in the saga, for they have more plot, background story and depth to 47's character.
This is my favorite version of Ave Maria. It relaxes me and gives me hope.
I hope everybody appreciates.
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I tried to find the most accurate lyrics... Sorry if it's not 100% correct.
Here are the lyrics:
Ave Maria!
Jungfrau mild,
Erhöre deiner Kinder Flehen,
im Tal der Tränen sei uns Schild
lass mein Gebet zu dir hinwehen.
Wir schlafen sicher bis zum Morgen,
dein Sternenmantel deckt uns zu.
O Jungfrau, siehe unsere Sorgen,
o schenke unsern Herzen Ruh!
Ave Maria!
Ave Maria!
Reine Magd!
Wir wollen gläubig dir vertrauen
du süsse Jungfrau, unverzagt
voll Hoffnung zu dir aufwärts schauen,
und still uns Gottes Willen beugen,
da uns dein heilger Trost anweht.
O Jungfrau, wolle hold dich neigen
dem Kind, das bittend zu dir fleht.
Ave Maria!
- Translation:
Ave Maria!
Gentle Virgin,
Hear your children's pleading,
In the valley of tears, be our shield,
Let my prayer rise up to you.
We sleep safely until the morning,
Your mantle of stars covers us.
Oh Virgin, see our concerns,
Oh grant peace to our hearts!
Ave Maria!
Ave Maria!
Pure Maid!
We want to faithfully trust in you,
Sweet Virgin, undaunted,
We look up to you full of hope,
And silently bow to God's will,
As your holy comfort reaches us.
Oh Virgin, kindly incline yourself
To the child who pleads to you.
Ave Maria!
