Among the most famous settings is the version by Charles Gounod ( 1859 ) , adding melody and words to Johann Sebastian Bach 's first prelude from the Well-Tempered Clavier . Among the most famous settings is the version by Charles Gounod ( 1859 ) , adding melody and words to Johann Sebastian Bach 's first prelude from the Well-Tempered Clavier ; and Franz Schubert 's Ave Maria ( Ellens Gesang III , D839 , Op 52 no 6 , 1825 ) , Ellen 's third song in English , as part of his Opus 25 , a setting of seven songs from Walter Scott 's popular epic poem `` The Lady of the Lake '' , loosely translated into German .