Dies Irae
Berliner Philharmoniker Lyrics

Dies irae, dies illa
The Day of Judgment, that day

Solvet saeclum in favilla,
will dissolve the world into ashes,

Teste David cum Sibylla.
as prophesied by David and the Sibyl.

Quantus tremor est futurus,
What trembling is to come

Quando judex est venturus,
when the judge is to appear,

cuncta stricte discussurus!
to question strictly everything.

Tuba mirum spargens sonum
The trumpet scattering a wondrous sound

Per sepulchra regionum,
through the regions of the graves

Coget omnes ante thronum.
will collect everyone before the throne.

Mors stupebit et natura,
Death and nature will marvel

Cum resurget creatura,
when the creature arises

Judicanti responsura.
to answer to the judge.

Liber scriptus proferetur,
The written book will be brought forth

In quo totum continetur,
In which all is recorded,

unde mundus judicetur.
from which the world is to be judged.

Judex ergo cum sedebit,
When the judge is seated,

Quidquid latet apparebit,
everything hidden will appear,

Nil inultum remanebit.
nothing will remain unavenged.

Quid sum miser tunc dicturus,
What am I, a wretch, to say

Quem patronum rogaturus,
What patron will intercede for me,

Cum vix justus sit securus?
when even the just may hardly be secure?

Rex tremende majestatis,
O King of frightening majesty,

Qui salvandos salvas gratis
You who save those to be saved freely

Salva me, fons pietatis.
Save me, fountain of mercy.

Recordare. Jesu pie,
Remember, merciful Jesus,

Quod sum causa tue vie:
that I am the reason for your journey

Ne me perdas illa die.
Do not destroy me on that day.

Querens me, sedisti lassus:
Seeking me, you sat tired

Redemisti, crucem passus:
redeeming me by suffering on the cross.

Tantus labor non sit cassus.
May that toil not be in vain.

Juste judex ultionis,
Just judge of revenge,

Donum fac remissionis
grant the gift of forgiveness

Ante diem rationis.
before the day of reckoning.

Ingemisco tanquam reus:
I groan as one accused:

Culpa rubet voltus meus:
My face is red with guilt:

Supplicanti parce, Deus.
Spare your supplicant, O God.

Qui Mariam absolvisti,
You who absolved Mary

Et latronem exaudisti,
and heard the thief,

Mihi quoque spem dedisti.
you also gave me hope.

Preces mez non sunt digne;
My prayers are not worthy;

Sed tu bonus fac benigne,
but in your goodness, graciously grant

Ne perenni cremer igne.
that I may not be consumed by eternal fire.

Inter oves locum presta
Place me among the sheep

Et ab hedis me sequestra,
and separate me from the goats,

Statuens in parte dextra.
setting me on your right hand.

Confutatis maledictis,
With the condemned routed,

Flammis acribus addictis,
and consigned to the acrid flames,

Voca me cum benedictis.
call me among the blessed.

Oro supplex et acclinis;
I kneel suppliant and bowed;

Cor contritum quasi cinis:
my heart crushed as if to ashes;

Gere curam mei finis.
take thou care of my end.

Lachrymosa dies illa,
That tearful day

Qua resurget ex favilla
when from the ashes shall arise

Judicandus homo reus:
The guilty man, to be judged.

Huic ergo parce, Deus.
Spare him therefore, O God.

Pie Jesu, Domine,
Merciful Lord Jesus,

Dona eis requiem.
grant them rest.

Amen.
Amen.