Born in Salzburg, then in the Holy Roman Empire and currently in Austria, Mozart showed prodigious ability from his earliest childhood. Already competent on keyboard and violin, he composed from the age of five and performed before European royalty. His father took him on a grand tour of Europe and then three trips to Italy. At 17, he was a musician at the Salzburg court but grew restless and traveled in search of a better position.
While visiting Vienna in 1781, Mozart was dismissed from his Salzburg position. He stayed in Vienna, where he achieved fame but little financial security. During his final years there, he composed many of his best-known symphonies, concertos, and operas. His Requiem was largely unfinished by the time of his death at the age of 35, the circumstances of which are uncertain and much mythologized.
Lacrimosa
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
qua resurget ex favilla
judicandus homo reus.
Huic ergo parce Deus,
pie Jesu Domine,
dona eis requiem! Amen!
The lyrics of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Lacrimosa, which is part of his Requiem Mass in D minor, is a mournful and sorrowful plea for mercy and forgiveness from God during the final judgement day. The opening lines "Lacrymosa dies illa, qua resurget ex favilla" translates to "That day of tears and mourning when from the ashes shall arise." The following line, "judicandus homo reus" emphasizes the guilt of the human being who will stand before God and be judged for their actions.
The second stanza of the song is a direct appeal to God as the singer begs, "Huic ergo parce Deus, pie Jesu Domine, dona eis requiem," which translates to, "Therefore, Lord Jesus, grant them rest. Amen." The repetition of "pie Jesu Domine" emphasizes the singer's desperation and longing for grace and mercy from God.
Overall, the song Lacrimosa conveys a sense of fear and uncertainty about the end of life and the final judgement of God. The lyrics reflect the Catholic belief in a judgement day where every human being will be judged based on their actions on earth, and the mercy and forgiveness sought from God in this song reflects a hope for redemption and eternal rest in the afterlife.
Line by Line Meaning
Lacrymosa dies illa,
That day of tears and mourning,
qua resurget ex favilla
from the dust of earth returning
judicandus homo reus.
Man, the guilty, trembling creature,
Huic ergo parce Deus,
Save him, O Lord, in mercy.
pie Jesu Domine,
Give him eternal rest, O God!
dona eis requiem! Amen!
Amen!
Contributed by Micah A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.