F. SCHUBERT - AVE MARIA
Originally known as "Ellens Third Song", but often referred to as Schubert's Ave Maria.
The original epics by Walther Scott's epic from "The Lady of The Lake", translated into Germany by Adam Storck (1780-1822).
Schubert does his "Liederzycklus" from "The Lady of The Lake" (in German Fraulein vom See").
In Scott's poem Lady Ellen Douglas is the lady of the see, Loch Katrine, which is in the Scottish Highlands (U.K., England).
Ellen and her father hides in exile in a cave from the King, who will revenge upon their protector Roderick Dhu. While they hide in Goblin's cave, Roderick Dhu of Clan Alpin is getting ready for war nearby, but cannot hear Ellen's prayer/song for help to Virgin Maria.
The Schubert song is based on this story, but the song/tune also exist with other lyrics, like with the Latin Ave Maria prayer.
V. VAVILOV (CACCINI) - AVE MARIA
This song is actually written in 1970 by the Russian composer Vladimir Vavilov (1925 - 1973). He used to attribute and write contributions to dead composer, and thus dedicated this song to Caccini. Many mistakenly think Giulio Caccini (1545 - 1618) wrote the song. The 1987 recording made it world wide famous.
N. SKIPPER - AVE MARIA
Skipper's Ave Maria, originally German language, tells the story of merchands or heads awaiting freedom by a sign from the chaotic wealth of flickering stars. Maria and Joseph has done, that the whole world can live in peace and harmony.
The Italian translation by M.L. Reitberger addresses a bit more "amore" (love) within the lyrics, but it still praises Maria and her husband Joseph. It is a bit unusual that a song/lyrics also praises the masculin part of a relationsship, but this was insisted upon by N. Skipper who wrote the German lyrics. The music was composed before the lyrics, and with great respect to Johann Sebastian Bach " C major Prelude". However, do note that the song has "Three Kings", meaning 3 tricks points characterisings this particular song.
Sources: madhammudeux & skipper & cdwheel & wikipedia