Tuba mirum
Krips Josef/Wiener Philharmoniker Lyrics

In Krips Josef/Wiener Philharmoniker's song "Tuba mirum," these lyrics come from the Latin text of the "Dies Irae" sequence from the Requiem Mass. These verses describe the awe-inspiring and terrifying moment of judgment when all souls will gather before the throne of God.

The bass solo begins with "Tuba mirum spargens sonum," which translates to "The trumpet, scattering its sound." This signifies the announcement of the impending judgment throughout the regions of the graves. It emphasizes the powerful and attention-grabbing nature of this moment, as it calls all people to stand before the throne of God.

Following the bass solo, the tenor solo expresses that death and nature will be stunned at the resurrection of all creation. This line, "Mors stupebit et natura, cum resurget creatura," acknowledges the shock and astonishment that death and nature will experience in the face of the resurrected souls who will respond to the Judge.

As the song continues, the alto solo emphasizes the accountability of all individuals when facing the Judge. "Judex ergo cum sedebit, quidquid latet apparebit, nil inultum remanebit" means "Therefore, when the Judge takes his seat, whatever is hidden will be revealed, nothing will remain unpunished." This highlights the notion that there will be no escape from judgment, as everything will be exposed and accounted for.

The final line sung by the soprano solo and quartet reflects the individual's own introspection. "Quid sum miser tunc dicturus, quem patronum rogaturus, cum vix justus sit securus?" translates to "What am I, miserable one, then to say? On which advocate shall I call when even the righteous may hardly be secure?" Here, the solos acknowledge the fear and uncertainty individuals feel about their own standing before the Judge, asking who they can turn to for help when even the righteous may face uncertainty.

Overall, these lyrics from "Tuba mirum" depict the profound and solemn moments of judgment and self-reflection, inviting listeners to contemplate their own mortality and accountability in the face of divine judgment.