Fieldwork Archive
Salve, salve
Performed by Parroquia San Nicolás de Tolentino del Laborío.
Recorded July 13, 2025 at Iglesia San Nicolás de Tolentino del Laborío,
León, Nicaragua (acquisition date: July 13, 2025).
Performed during Catholic Sunday Mass. Performed with guitar.
Recorded by Claudio Alexander Urbina on behalf of Derek Piotr.
Originating in the colonial era in Nicaragua, this song is a Purísima, a Marian hymn most associated with the Immaculate Conception and other feast days dedicated to Mary. It is sung as an entrance hymn for this mass on the feast day of the Rosa Mística.
Salve, salve cantando a María.
¿Quién más pura que tú? Sólo Dios.
Y en el cielo una voz repetía:
más que tú, sólo Dios, sólo Dios.
Con torrentes de luz que te inundan,
los Arcángeles besan tus pies,
las estrellas tu frente circundan
y hasta Dios complacido te ve.
Pues llamándote pura y sin mancha,
de rodillas los mundos están,
y tu espíritu arroba y ensancha,
tanta fe, tanto amor, tanto afán.
¿Quién más pura que tú? Sólo Dios.
Y en el cielo una voz repetía:
más que tú, sólo Dios, sólo Dios.
Con torrentes de luz que te inundan,
los Arcángeles besan tus pies,
las estrellas tu frente circundan
y hasta Dios complacido te ve.
Pues llamándote pura y sin mancha,
de rodillas los mundos están,
y tu espíritu arroba y ensancha,
tanta fe, tanto amor, tanto afán.
Hail, hail, singing to Mary.
Who is purer than you? Only God.
And in heaven a voice repeated:
More than you, only God, only God.
With torrents of light that flood you,
the Archangels kiss your feet,
the stars encircle your brow,
and even God looks upon you with pleasure.
For calling you pure and without stain,
the worlds fall on their knees,
and your spirit is enraptured and expands,
so much faith, so much love, so much zeal.
Who is purer than you? Only God.
And in heaven a voice repeated:
More than you, only God, only God.
With torrents of light that flood you,
the Archangels kiss your feet,
the stars encircle your brow,
and even God looks upon you with pleasure.
For calling you pure and without stain,
the worlds fall on their knees,
and your spirit is enraptured and expands,
so much faith, so much love, so much zeal.
