Question on Salve Regina

[brian614]

In the prayer I have heard and prayed this line differently, does any one know which one correct.

To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this (either) VALLEY or VALE of tears.

Thanks I have always been curious I was going to ask my priest but figured since he is a busy man I do not want to waste his time and instead turn to my friends here.

Thanks and God bless

 

[Tantum_ergo]

In the prayer I have heard and prayed this line differently, does any one know which one correct.

To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this (either) VALLEY or VALE of tears.

Thanks I have always been curious I was going to ask my priest but figured since he is a busy man I do not want to waste his time and instead turn to my friends here.

Thanks and God bless

Hi Brian: They’re both correct. They both mean the same thing. Vale is an older, more poetic term, valley is more modern. Use whichever term you like if you’re praying solo; if you’re praying with a group, use whichever the group consensus goes with.

 

[brian614]

Hi Brian: They’re both correct. They both mean the same thing. Vale is an older, more poetic term, valley is more modern. Use whichever term you like if you’re praying solo; if you’re praying with a group, use whichever the group consensus goes with.

Thanks I always thought of a Vale as something over a women’s face… Learn something new everyday. Thanks for the quick response, much appreciated

 

[corsair]

Older versions of this prayer use the word “vale”. However, even at our FSSP parish they use the word “valley”.

This is a common problem with translations. The Translator often uses what he/she feels expresses the term closer to the current language. You can find the differences in most any version of the Little Office of the BVM. An example would be the differences between the 1904 L.O.B.V. M., the 1911 version and the 1962 version.

This is why I have tried to learn Latin and to use it exclusively.

 

[Tantum_ergo]

Thanks I always thought of a Vale as something over a women’s face… Learn something new everyday. Thanks for the quick response, much appreciated

Ah, homonyms. (Words which sound alike but are spelled differently). A VEIL (sounds like vale) is indeed a covering over a woman’s hair, or hair and face. No wonder people get confused!

 

[brian614]

Ah, homonyms. (Words which sound alike but are spelled differently). A VEIL (sounds like vale) is indeed a covering over a woman’s hair, or hair and face. No wonder people get confused!

Now that you spell it out I feel so embarrassed, there goes that public school education again

 

[ProVobis]

In the prayer I have heard and prayed this line differently, does any one know which one correct.

To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this (either) VALLEY or VALE of tears.

The Latin used is valle (in the ablative). So whichever translation you’re comfortable with. I usually just recite or sing the Salve Regina in Latin and not worry about its translation.

 

[OraLabora]

The Latin used is valle (in the ablative). So whichever translation you’re comfortable with. I usually just recite or sing the Salve Regina in Latin and not worry about its translation.

I use Latin as well, and I can chant it by heart in either the simple or solemn tones. Here are some interesting tidbits about the Latin versions as used after Compline:

1. Benedictines, and the Roman Office, use the solemn tone on Sundays and solemnities but the simple otherwise; Cistercians always use the solemn tone;
2. The Benedictine and Roman Offices use the Salve Regina from after Pentecost until Friday before Advent starts. On first Vespers of the first Sunday of Advent, they switch to the Alma Redemptoris Mater. On the other hand Cistercians use the Salve Regina year round.
3. There are at least three versions that I know of, of the solemn version. There are slight melody differences between the Roman, Cistercians and Benedictine versions. The Cistercian version is the most ornate.

 

[tradcathconvert]

I use Latin as well, and I can chant it by heart in either the simple or solemn tones. Here are some interesting tidbits about the Latin versions as used after Compline:

1. Benedictines, and the Roman Office, use the solemn tone on Sundays and solemnities but the simple otherwise; Cistercians always use the solemn tone;
2. The Benedictine and Roman Offices use the Salve Regina from after Pentecost until Friday before Advent starts. On first Vespers of the first Sunday of Advent, they switch to the Alma Redemptoris Mater. On the other hand Cistercians use the Salve Regina year round.
3. There are at least three versions that I know of, of the solemn version. There are slight melody differences between the Roman, Cistercians and Benedictine versions. The Cistercian version is the most ornate.

Interesting tidbits indeed. Thank you for telling us, OraLabora.

 

[steymard]

I only know the simple tone so far (only 10 months of being Catholic haha) but I just looked up the solemn tone chant and it’s beautiful!