Pie Jesu
Sissel Kyrkjebø Lyrics

The lyrics to Sissel Kyrkjebø's "Pie Jesu" are actually a Latin hymn that has been set to music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, the famous composer of musical theater. The title "Pie Jesu" translates to "Merciful Jesus," and the song is a prayer for the dead. The lyrics are somber and reverential, with a sense of yearning for peace and rest for the departed. The repetition of "dona eis requiem" ("grant them rest") is particularly poignant, as it emphasizes the singer's plea to God for the eternal repose of the souls of the dead.

The song begins with the lines "Pie Jesu, pie Jesu," which are repeated throughout the piece. The second half of each line, "qui tollis peccata mundi, dona eis requiem" ("who takes away the sins of the world, grant them rest"), is also repeated. The third verse introduces the "Agnus Dei," which means "Lamb of God." This is another phrase from a Latin hymn that is often used in Roman Catholic liturgy. The third verse emphasizes the importance of the Lamb of God in taking away the sins of the world, and then repeats the plea for eternal rest. The final word "requiem" is repeated three times, emphasizing the eternal peace that the singer is asking God to grant.

Overall, "Pie Jesu" is a moving and powerful hymn that emphasizes the deep spiritual connection between the living and the dead. It's a beautiful example of how music can express the profound emotions and spiritual longings that are often difficult to put into words.