The Last Judgment, Roviale Spagnolo, c.1550.
Dies Irae is a Medieval Latin hymn dating from the 13th century. It is part of the traditional requiem Mass, reflecting on the final judgment. The title means “Day of Wrath,” and is a reminder for all of us to prepare ourselves for the day when we will have to stand before the Divine Judge. This hymn is a call to remember our death – memento mori – so that we can live our lives in preparation for eternity.
“The last judgment shall fill sinners with terror, but will be a source of joy and sweetness to the elect; for Lord will then give praise to each one according to his works.“
St. Alphonsus de Liguori
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Listen to the hymn here:
Latin lyrics
Dies iræ, dies illa
Solvet sæclum in favilla
Teste David cum Sibylla
Quantus tremor est futurus
Quando Judex est venturus
Cuncta stricte discussurus!
Tuba mirum spargens sonum
Per sepulchra regionum
Coget omnes ante thronum
Mors stupebit et natura
Cum resurget creatura
Judicanti responsura
Liber scriptus proferetur
In quo totum continetur
Unde mundus judicetur
Judex ergo cum sedebit
Quidquid latet apparebit:
Nil inultum remanebit
Quid sum miser tunc dicturus?
Quem patronum rogaturus
Cum vix justus sit securus?
Rex tremendæ majestatis
Qui salvandos salvas gratis
Salva me, fons pietatis
Recordare, Jesu pie
Quod sum causa tuæ viæ:
Ne me perdas illa die
Quærens me, sedisti lassus:
Redemisti Crucem passus:
Tantus labor non sit cassus
Juste Judex 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 meæ non sunt dignæ;
Sed tu bonus fac benigne
Ne perenni cremer igne
Inter oves locum præsta
Et ab hædis me sequestra
Statuens in parte dextra
Confutatis maledictis
Flammis acribus addictis
Voca me cum benedictis
Oro supplex et acclinis
Cor contritum quasi cinis
Gere curam mei finis
Lacrimosa dies illa
Qua resurget ex favilla
Judicandus homo reus
Huic ergo parce, Deus: Pie Jesu Domine
Dona eis requiem. Amen.
English lyrics
Day of wrath! That day
Will dissolve the world in ashes
As David and the Sibyl testify!
How great will be the tremor
When the judge comes
To strictly examine all things!
The trumpet, spreading a wondrous sound
Through the graves of the regions
Will gather all before the throne.
Death will be stunned, and nature
When creation rises again
Will respond to the judge.
A written book will be brought forth
In which everything is contained
From which the world will be judged.
Therefore, when the judge sits
Whatever is hidden will appear
Nothing will remain unpunished.
What will I, a wretched man, say then?
To whom will I plead for help
When even the just man is barely safe?
King of tremendous majesty
Who freely saves those to be saved
Save me, fountain of mercy.
Remember, gentle Jesus
That I am the reason for your way
Do not lose me on that day.
Seeking me, you sat down weary
You redeemed me, suffering on the cross
Such great labor should not be in vain.
Just judge of vengeance
Grant the gift of remission
Before the day of reckoning.
I groan, like a guilty one
My face is red with guilt
Spare the supplicant, God.
You who absolved Mary
And heard the thief
You also gave me hope.
My prayers are not worthy
But you, good one, act kindly
Lest I burn in eternal fire.
Grant me a place among the sheep
And separate me from the goats
Setting me on your right side.
When the cursed are confounded
And given to fierce flames
Call me with the blessed.
I pray, a suppliant and bowed
My heart crushed like ashes
Take care of my end.
That day will be full of tears
When the guilty man rises from the ashes
To be judged.
Therefore, spare this one, God
Pious Lord Jesus
Grant them rest. Amen.