In a previous post I mentioned my fondness for Marian antiphons/chants. Now that it’s Easter, the “Marian antiphon” of choice is the Regina Caeli (”Queen of Heaven”), which the Church usually substitutes for the Angelus during the Easter season. It's one of my family's favorites, as we typically sing it in the evening at prayer time. Here are the words for this beautiful chant:

Simple tone (Mode VI):

The English translation is:

Queen of heaven, rejoice, alleluia.
The Son whom you merited to bear, alleluia,
has risen as he said, alleluia.
Pray to God for us, alleluia.

The following is typically added when the prayer is recited in English, rather than sung: 

Leader: Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary. Alleluia.
All: Because the Lord is truly risen, Alleluia.

Let us pray:
O God, Who by the Resurrection of Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, has been pleased to give joy to the whole world, grant we beseech Thee, that through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, His Mother, we may attain the joys of eternal life. Through the same Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Just one more interesting tidbit about the Regina Caeli: Many people believe that the Regina Caeli was composed during the Middle Ages. However, according to The Golden Legend, a famous 13th-century work about the saints, Pope St. Gregory the Great (590-604) heard angels singing the first three verses from the Regina Caeli during a procession and was inspired to add the fourth line, “Ora pro nobis deum.” This story is considered a legend, but what a cool legend!

Let us all rejoice and be glad, because the Lord is risen indeed!