The Monastery of Santo Domingo de Silos is a Benedictine monastery in the v… Read Full Bio ↴The Monastery of Santo Domingo de Silos is a Benedictine monastery in the village of Santo Domingo de Silos, in the south of the Spanish province of Burgos. The foundation of the monastery dates from 929, under the advocation of Saint Sebastian.
The Monasterio Santo Domingo de Silos began singing Gregorian chant in the 11th century (before that, they used Mozarabic chant). They sprung onto the music scene in 1994 after an invitation by the Seminary of Logroño. By 1995, their album Chant had sold over 5 million copies. It peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200 music chart, and was certified as triple platinum, meaning 3 million copies were sold in the United States. The album, and its follow-ups, are unadulterated Gregorian Chant - simple religious compositions dating back to the 11th century.

Salve Regina
The Benedictine Monks Of Santo Domingo De Silos Lyrics

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Salve Regina,
Mater misericordiae
vita, dulcedo et spes nostra, salve.
Ad Te clamamus
éxules filii Evae,
ad Te suspiramos gementes et flentes,
in hac lacrimarum valle.
Eia, ergo, Advocata nostra,

illos tuos misericordes óculos
ad nos converte.
Et Jesum
benedictum fructum ventris tui,
nobis, post hoc exilium ostende.

O clemens, o pia,
o dulcis, Virgo Maria.

Overall Meaning

The Benedictine Monks of Santo Domingo de Silos's song Salve Regina is a hymn dedicated to the Virgin Mary, which praises her with the titles of "Salve Regina," "Mater Misericordiae" (Mother of Mercy), "Vita," "Dulcedo," and "Spes Nostra" (Our Life, Sweetness, and Hope). The song expresses a deep feeling of the faithful towards Mary, addressing her as "Advocata Nostra" (Our Advocate) and asking for her mercy and help in this valley of tears. The lyrics also mention the "benedictum fructum ventris tui" (blessed fruit of thy womb), which refers to Jesus Christ.

The song's Latin lyrics are embellished with melismatic chant, which means that one syllable is sung using multiple notes, emphasizing the beauty of the song's melody. The use of this technique is typical of Gregorian chant, which highlights the spirituality and devotion of the song. The Benedictine Monks of Santo Domingo de Silos are well-known for their interpretation of Gregorian chant, which has gained global recognition.

Line by Line Meaning

Salve Regina,
Hail, Queen

Mater misericordiae
Mother of mercy

vita, dulcedo et spes nostra, salve.
Our life, sweetness, and hope, hail.

Ad Te clamamus
To you we cry

éxules filii Evae,
Banished children of Eve,

ad Te suspiramos gementes et flentes,
To you we sigh, mourning and weeping,

in hac lacrimarum valle.
In this valley of tears.

Eia, ergo, Advocata nostra,
Come then, our advocate,

illos tuos misericordes óculos
Turn your merciful eyes

ad nos converte.
Toward us.

Et Jesum
And Jesus