Several months ago a parishioner made me a CD with several songs. I enjoyed all the songs, but had difficulty understanding the words of the song I liked best. I enjoyed its smooth, prayerful and almost angelic sound even though I could only catch a few phrases of the lyrics.
After hearing the song for innumerable times, I deciphered enough text to search for the song online. To my surprise, the song was not sung by women but by an English boys choir called Libera. The song was called You Were There.
At first glance, the song describes the crucial and precious role a mother plays in the life of her child, but a second meaning emerges when the Latin phrase of the lyrics is translated. The song is transformed into a song about Our Heavenly Mother, the Virgin Mary. Ave, regina caelorum decora Virgo gloriosa, ave! Hail, Beautiful Queen of Heaven, Hail Glorious Virgin! Reading the lyrics with this second meaning in mind provides much for meditation. Suddenly the song describes the tender, motherly love Mary shows us all.
Click here to listen to You Were There by Libera
Lyrics
You were there
In everything I knew
From the moment I began
Always there
In every way I go
Saved me falling
Held my hand
You are shelter from the storm
The shadows fade away
All cares pass away
Hosanna, day by day
Your love lightens up the sky
As it shines across the night
Ave, regina caelorum decora
Virgo gloriosa, ave!
And when the end of day is come
Stay with me through the dark
And bring me home
You are there
Whichever way I go
Keep me safely night and day
Always there
Whenever I’m alone
Hear me calling
Show the way
You are shelter from the storm
The shadows fade away
All cares pass away
Hosanna, day by day
Your love lightens up the sky
As it shines across the night
Ave, regina caelorum decora
Virgo gloriosa, ave!
And when the end of day is come
Stay with me through the dark
And bring me home
Stay with me through the dark
And bring me home
[Picture above: Our Lady of La Macarena, Seville, Spain, 2007]
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