This German Marienlied has always been a kind of holy grail for me. It seems to defy adequate rendering in English. Tell me what you think of this attempt:
"1. Beautiful, glorious,
lofty, victorious,
Heavenly Mother most splendid, most blest:
So long as life is mine,
my heart is ever thine,
Body and soul in thy care I will rest;
Life, goods, and family
I offer willingly:
All that I ever shall have or shall be,
With joy I consecrate, Mary, to thee.
2. Sunlight shines all around
thee, whom the stars have crowned,
our light and comfort in darkness of night:
Thou who wert well-prepared,
Whom God's own Hand had spared,
Saved from corruption by merciful might:
Blest Gate through whom the Word,
Jesus, thy Son, Our Lord,
Passed when, forsaking His heavenly Throne,
He brought salvation and grace to His own.
3. Sinless and chosen one,
Worthy to bear the Son,
Thou art God's Daughter and Mother and Bride
Virgin of virgins best,
Fairer than all the rest,
God-fashioned Temple that God dwelt inside:
Thou heaven's perfect Rose,
That no corruption knows,
Crown of creation and glory above,
Whom earth and heaven surround with their love."
-trans. smc, (c) 2021
"1. Beautiful, glorious,
lofty, victorious,
Heavenly Mother most splendid, most blest:
So long as life is mine,
my heart is ever thine,
Body and soul in thy care I will rest;
Life, goods, and family
I offer willingly:
All that I ever shall have or shall be,
With joy I consecrate, Mary, to thee.
2. Sunlight shines all around
thee, whom the stars have crowned,
our light and comfort in darkness of night:
Thou who wert well-prepared,
Whom God's own Hand had spared,
Saved from corruption by merciful might:
Blest Gate through whom the Word,
Jesus, thy Son, Our Lord,
Passed when, forsaking His heavenly Throne,
He brought salvation and grace to His own.
3. Sinless and chosen one,
Worthy to bear the Son,
Thou art God's Daughter and Mother and Bride
Virgin of virgins best,
Fairer than all the rest,
God-fashioned Temple that God dwelt inside:
Thou heaven's perfect Rose,
That no corruption knows,
Crown of creation and glory above,
Whom earth and heaven surround with their love."
-trans. smc, (c) 2021