Dies irae

Part of the Requiem mass.

Original text and translations

Latin text

Dies irae, dies illa solvet saeclum in favilla, teste David cum Sibylla. Quantus tremor est futurus, quando iudex est venturus, cuncta stricte discussurus? Tuba mirum spargens sonum, per sepulchra regionum, coget omnes ante thronum. Mors stupebit et natura, cum resurget creatura, iudicanti responsura. Liber scriptus proferetur in quo totum continetur, unde mundus iudicetur. Iudex ergo cum sedebit, quidquid latet, apparebit; nil inultum remanebit. Mors stupebit et natura, cum resurget creatura, iudicanti responsura. Quid sum miser tunc dicturus? Quem patronum rogaturus, cum vix iustus sit securus? Rex tremendae maiestatis, qui salvandos salvas gratis, salva me, fons pietatis. Recordare, Iesu pie, qud sum causa tuae viae: ne me perdas illa die.

Quarens me, sedisti lassus: redemisti crucem passus: tantus lagor non sit cassus. Iuste Iudex ultionis, donum fac remissionis ante diem rationis. Ingemisco tamquam reus: culpa rubet vultus meus: supplicanti parce, Deus. Qui Mariam absolvisti, et latronem exaudisti, mihi quoque spem dedisti. Preces meae non sunt dignae: sed tu bonus fac benigne, ne perenni cremer igne. Inter oves locum praesta, et ab haedis me sequestra, statuens in parte dextra. Lacrymosa dies illa qua resurget ex favilla iudicantus homo reus. Confutatis maledictis, flammis acribus addictis: voca me cum benedictis. Lacrymosa dies illa qua resurget ex favilla iudicantus homo reus. Huic ergo parce, Deus: Pie Iesu Domine, dona eis requiem. Amen.

English translation

A day of wrath; that day, it will dissolve the world into glowing ashes, as attested by David together with the Sibyl. What trembling will there be, when the Judge shall come to examine everything in strict justice. The trumpet's wondrous call sounding abroad in tombs throughout the world shall drive everybody forward to the throne. Death and nature shall stand amazed when creation rises again to give answer to its Judge. A written book will be brought forth in which everything is contained from which the world shall be judged. So when the Judge is seated, whatever is hidden will be made known: nothing shall go unpunished. Death and nature shall stand amazed when creation rises again to give answer to its Judge. What shall I, wretch, say at that time? What advocate shall I entreat (to plead for me) when scarcaly the righteous shal be safe from damnation? King of awesome majesty, who to grants salvation to those that are to be saved, save me, o fount of Pity. Remember, dear Jesus, that I am the reason for Thy journey (into this world): do not cast me away on that day.

Seeking me, Thou didst sit down weary, Thou didst redeem me, suffering the death on the Cross: let not such toil have been in vain. Just Judge of vengeance, grant me the gift of pardon before the day of reckoning. I groan like one condemned: my face blushes for my sins: spare a supplicant, o God. Thou who didst absolve Mary (Magdalen), and heard the robber, hast given me hope as well. My prayers are not worthy: but Thou, of Thy goodness, deal generously (with me), that I burn not in the everlasting flame. Give me a place among the sheep, and separate me from the goats, setting me on Thy right hand. That day will be one of weeping on which shall rise again from the embers the guilty man, to be judged. When the accursed have been confounded and sentenced to acrid flames, call me along with the blessed. That day will be one of weeping on which shall rise again from the embers the guilty man, to be judged. Therefore spare him, O God. Merciful Lord Jesus, grant them rest. Amen.

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