Dies Irae
Day of Wrath

Dies iræ, dies illa
Day of wrath, day that
solvet sæclum in favílla:
will dissolve the world into burning coals,
teste David cum Sibýlla.
as David bore witness with the Sibyl.


Quantus tremor est futúrus,
How great a tremor is to be,
quando iudex est ventúrus,
when the judge is to come
cuncta stricte discussúrus!
briskly shattering every (grave).


Tuba mirum spargens sonum
A trumpet sounding an astonishing sound
per sepúlcra regiónum,
through the tombs of the region
coget omnes ante thronum.
drives all (men) before the throne.


Mors stupébit et natúra,
Death will be stunned and (so) will Nature,
cum resúrget creatúra,
when arises (man) the creature
iudicánti responsúra.
responding to the One judging.


Liber scriptus proféretur,
The written book will be brought forth,
in quo totum continétur,
in which the whole (record of evidence) is contained
unde mundus iudicétur.
whence the world is to be judged.


Iudex ergo cum sedébit,
Therefore when the Judge shall sit,
quidquid latet apparébit:
whatever lay hidden will appear;
nil inúltum remanébit.
nothing unavenged will remain.


O tu, Deus maiestatis,
O Thou, God of Majesty,
alme candor Trinitatis,
nourishing brilliance of the Trinity,
nos coniunge cum beatis.
join us with the Blessed.


Quid sum miser tunc dicturus,
What am I the wretch then to say?
quem patronum rogaturus,
what patron I to beseech?
cum vix iustus sit securus?
when scarcely the just (man) be secure.


Rex treméndæ maiestátis,
King of tremendous Majesty,
qui salvándos salvas gratis,
who saves those-to-be-saved free,
salva me fons pietátis.
save me, Fount of piety.


Recordáre, Jesu pie,
Remember, faithful Jesus,
quod sum causa tuæ viæ:
because I am the cause of your journey:
ne me perdas illa die.
do not lose me on that day.


Quærens me, sedísti lassus:
Thou has sat down as one wearied seeking me,
redemísti Crucem passus:
Thou has redeemed (me) having suffered the Cross:
tantus labor non sit cassus.
so much labor let it not be lost.


Iuste iudex ultiónis,
Just judge of the avenging-punishment,
donum fac remissiónis
work the gift of the remission (of sins)
ante diem ratiónis.
before the Day of the Reckoning.


Ingemísco, tamquam reus:
I groan, as the accused:
culpa rubet vultus meus:
my face grows red from (my) fault:
supplicánti parce, Deus.
spare (this) supplicant, O God.


O tu, Deus maiestatis,
O Thou, God of Majesty,
alme candor Trinitatis,
nourishing brilliance of the Trinity,
nos coniunge cum beatis.
join us with the Blessed. Amen.


Qui Mariam absolvísti,
Thou who forgave Mary [the sinful woman],
et latronem exaudísti,
and favorably heard the (good) thief,
mihi quoque spem dedísti.
hast also given me hope.


Preces meæ non sunt dignæ,
My prayers are not worthy,
sed tu bonus fac benígne,
but do Thou, Good (God), deal kindly
ne perénni cremer igne.
lest I burn in perennial fire.


Inter oves locum præsta,
Among the sheep offer (me) a place
et ab hædis me sequéstra,
and from the goats sequester me,
státuens in parte dextra.
placing (me) at (Thy) right hand.


Confutátis maledíctis,
After the accursed have been silenced,
flammis ácribus addíctis:
given up to the bitter flames,
voca me cum benedíctis.
call me with the blest.


Oro supplex et acclínis,
Kneeling and bowed down I pray,
cor contrítum quasi cinis:
My heart contrite as ashes:
gere curam mei finis.
Do Thou {, my End,} care for my end.


Lacrimósa dies illa,
That sorrowful day,
qua resurget ex favílla
on which will arise from the buring coals
iudicándus homo reus.
Man accused to be judged:
huic ergo parce, Deus.
therefore, O God, do Thou spare him.


pie Iesu Dómine,
Faithful Lord Jesus,
dona eis réquiem. Amen.
grant them rest. Amen.


O tu, Deus maiestatis,
O Thou, God of Majesty,
alme candor Trinitatis,
nourishing brilliance of the Trinity,
nos coniunge cum beatis. Amen.
join us with the Blessed. Amen.