There is an incredible hymn which caught my eye in the first instance seeing one of the music publications by the American Lasallians in the early 20th Century.
Titled Mary, Star of the Sea, this hymn was based on an excerpt from a set of poetry called Evenings in Greece by the Irish poet Thomas Moore (1770 – 1852). It first appeared in 1871 in form of a duet and later reappeared in the manner of a four-part hymn. Written in two contrasting sections, the tune is very elegant and catchy, expressing love and hope in the Virgin Mary as “the bright Star of the Sea”.
Hymn Lyrics
When ev’ning shades are falling
O’er ocean’s silent deep,
To pilgrim’s heart recalling
Their home which angels keep;
When, rest o’er all descending,
The just pray God the while
That sinners, their ways mending,
May keep from demons’ wile.
Refrain (Chorus)
Then Mary, Mother Mary,
Thou bright Star of the Sea,
We’ll pray to thee, our Mother,
We’ll pray, we’ll pray to thee.
The noonday tempest over,
Now ocean toils no more
While peace and joy now hover
Where all was strife before.
Oh thus may life inclosing
Its short tempestuous day,
Beneath Heav’n’s smile reposing,
Drive all the storms away.
Refrain (Chorus)
According to the American hymnologist Vincent J. Higginson, the acronym addended on relevant pages of the source hymnals suggest the composer of the tune was a Brother Samuel of the De La Salle Brothers.
Download a copy of the Score here:
The Score is free to download and I welcome interested parties to sing this hymn at appropriate liturgical occasions.
To see a recent performance, check out my Instagram reel back in Advent 2025, featuring the Ignatius Singers of the Holy Name of Jesus RC, Manchester Oxford Road:
Interestingly, Father Lucas Leung, a Franciscan priest serving in Macao wrote a Cantonese translation in 1953. It proved to be very popular among Cantonese Catholics as it is included in the Hong Kong Diocese Hymnal: it is still in use today.
Here is a performance of the Cantonese translation that I found on YouTube, by the Hongkonger choral ensemble Vox Antiqua:
There’s plenty amazing discoveries and stay tuned for more!
