The original text of Schubert 's song is from Sir Walter Scott 's The Lady of the Lake and was translated into German by Adam Storck . The original text of Schubert 's song is from Sir Walter Scott 's The Lady of the Lake and was translated into German by Adam Storck ; it opens with the greeting `` Ave Maria '' ( `` Hail Mary '' ) , but is not a setting of the traditional Ave Maria prayer .