Dies Irae - Traditional

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.

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,
Quod sum causa tuae viae:
Ne me perdas illa die.

Quaerens me sedisti lassus,
Redemisti crucem passus:
Tantus labor 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.

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
Iudicandus homo reus.
Huic ergo parce Deus.

Pie Iesu Domine,
Dona eis requiem.
Amen.

Dies Irae Lyrics are perhaps the most famous and dramatic example of medieval liturgical poetry focusing on the end of the world and the return of Christ as Judge. The song Dies Irae uses vivid imagery of the trumpets sounding and the books being opened to emphasize the need for divine mercy. It is a prayer of deep humility and pleading asking the King of tremendous majesty to remember the soul in its hour of need. By chanting the Dies Irae lyrics during funeral rites the faithful are reminded of the gravity of eternal life and the importance of living with purpose. This chant has influenced hundreds of musical settings and remains a sobering masterpiece of spiritual reflection on mortality.