Spanish Evening Hymn

Ave! now let prayer and music
Meet in love on earth and sea!
Now, sweet Mother! may the weary
Turn from this cold world to thee!

From the wide and restless waters
Hear the sailor’s hymn arise?
From his watch-fire midst the mountains,
Lo! to thee the shepherd cries!

Yet, when thus full hearts find voices,
If o’erburden’d souls there be,
Dark and silent in their anguish,
Aid those captives! set them free!

Touch them, every fount unsealing
Where the frozen tears lie deep;
Thou, the Mother of all sorrows,
Aid! oh, aid to pray and weep!