Dies Irae

Dies irae, dies illa solvet saeclum in favilla, teste David cum Sibylla.

Day of wrath and doom impending, David's word with Sibyl's blending, heaven and earth in ashes ending.

Quantus tremor est futurus, quando Iudex est venturus, cuncta stricte discussurus!

Oh, what fear man's bosom rendeth, when from heaven the Judge descendeth, on whose sentence all dependeth.

Tuba mirum spargens sonum per sepulcra regionum, coget omnes ante thronum.

Wondrous sound the trumpet flingeth, through earth's sepulchres it ringeth, all before the throne it bringeth.

Mors stupebit et natura, cum resurget creatura, Iudicanti responsura.

Death is struck, and nature quaking, all creation is awaking, to its Judge an answer making.

Liber scriptus proferetur, in quo totum continetur, unde mundus iudicetur.

Lo, the book, exactly worded, wherein all hath been recorded, thence shall judgement be awarded.

Iudex ergo cum sedebit, quidquid latet apparebit: nil inultum remanebit.

When the Judge his seat attaineth, and each hidden deed arraigneth, nothing unavenged remaineth.

Quid sum miser tunc dicturus? Quem patronum rogaturus, cum vix iustus sit securus?

What shall I, frail man, be pleading? Who for me be interceding, when the just are mercy needing?

Rex tremendae maiestatis, qui salvandos salvas gratis, salva me, fons pietatis.

King of Majesty tremendous, Who dost free salvation send us, Fount of pity, then befriend us!

Recordare, Iesu pie, quod sum causa tuae viae: ne me perdas illa die.

Think, kind Jesu! — my salvation caused Thy wondrous Incarnation; leave me not to reprobation.

Quaerens me, sedisti lassus: redemisti Crucem passus: tantus labor non sit cassus.

Faint and weary, Thou hast sought me, on the Cross of suffering bought me. Shall such grace be vainly brought me?

Iuste Iudex ultionis, donum fac remissionis ante diem rationis.

Righteous Judge, for sin's pollution grant Thy gift of absolution, ere the day of retribution.

Ingemisco, tamquam reus: culpa rubet vultus meus; supplicanti parce, Deus.

Guilty, now I pour my moaning, all my shame with anguish owning; spare, O God, Thy suppliant groaning!

Qui Mariam absolvisti, et latronem exaudisti, mihi quoque spem dedisti.

Through the sinful woman shriven, through the dying thief forgiven, Thou to me a hope hast given.

Preces meae non sunt dignae: sed tu bonus fac benigne, ne perenni cremer igne.

Worthless are my prayers and sighing, yet, good Lord, in grace complying, rescue me from fires undying.

Inter oves locum praesta, et ab haedis me sequestra, statuens in parte dextra.

With Thy sheep a place provide me, from the goats afar divide me, to Thy right hand do Thou guide me.

Confutatis maledictis, flammis acribus addictis, voca me cum benedictis.

When the wicked are confounded, doomed to flames of woe unbounded, call me with Thy saints surrounded.

Oro supplex et acclinis, cor contritum quasi cinis: gere curam mei finis.

Low I kneel, with heart's submission, see, like ashes, my contrition, help me in my last condition.

Lacrimosa dies illa, qua resurget ex favilla iudicandus homo reus. Huic ergo parce, Deus.

Ah! that day of tears and mourning, from the dust of earth returning man for judgement must prepare him; spare, O God, in mercy spare him.

Pie Iesu Domine, dona eis requiem. Amen.

Lord, all-pitying, Jesus blest, grant them Thine eternal rest. Amen.