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.
Domine Jesu Christe
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
libera animas omnum fidelium
defunctorum de peonis inferni
et de profundo lacu:
Libera eas de ore leonis:
ne absorbeat eas Tartarus:
ne cadant in obscurum.
repraesentet eas in lucem sanctam.
Quam olim Abrahae promisisti
et semini ejus.
The lyrics to "Offertorium: Domine Jesu" by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart are a prayer addressed to Jesus Christ, the King of Glory. The prayer asks Jesus to free the souls of all faithful departed from the pains of hell and from the deep lake. The lyrics express a plea for Jesus to not let their souls be swallowed by the jaws of the lion or fall into the darkness. The lyrics suggest that St. Michael, the Holy Signmaker, should represent the souls into the holy light that was promised to Abraham and his descendants.
The lyrics portray a strong spiritual and divine presence. They express a sentiment of hope and offer faith in Jesus as the only one who can deliver the souls of the faithful. St. Michael's presence is also significant, as he is seen as the protector of the departed souls. The lyrics suggest that Michael will lead them through the darkness and into the promised land. The song is a solemn and powerful reminder of the power of faith and the hope that it brings.
Line by Line Meaning
DOMINE Jesu Christie, Rex Gloriaee,
Oh Lord Jesus Christ, King of Glory,
libera animas omnum fidelium defunctorum de peonis inferni
Please release the souls of all the faithful departed from the pains of hell
et de profundo lacu:
and from the deep lake
Libera eas de ore leonis:
Free them from the mouth of the lion
ne absorbeat eas Tartarus:
so that Tartarus does not absorb them
ne cadant in obscurum.
so that they do not fall into darkness
Sed signifer Sanctus Michael
But let Saint Michael the standard bearer
repraesentet eas in lucem sanctam.
present them into the holy light
Quam olim Abrahae promisisti et semini ejus.
which you once promised to Abraham and his descendants
Lyrics © Histoire et Chansons
Written by: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ranx3p
Domine Jesu Christe, Rex gloriae,
libera animas omnium fidelium
defunctorum de poenis inferni
et de profundo lacu.
Libera eas de ore leonis,
ne absorbeat eas tartarus,
ne cadant in obscurum.
Sed signifer sanctus Michael
repraesentet eas in lucem sanctam.
Quam olim Abrahae promisisti
et semini ejus.
@user-qe8hw7in9v
Domine Iesu Christe, Rex gloriæ,
libera animas omnium fidelium defunctorum
de pœnis inferni et de profundo lacu:
libera eas de ore leonis,
ne absorbeat eas tartarus,
ne cadant in obscurum:
sed signifer sanctus Michael
repræsentet eas in lucem sanctam:
Quam olim Abrahæ promisisti, et semini eius.
O Lord Jesus Christ, King of glory,
deliver the souls of all the faithful departed
from the pains of hell and from the bottomless pit:
deliver them from the lion's mouth,
that hell swallow them not up,
that they fall not into darkness,
but let the standard-bearer holy Michael
lead them into that holy light:
Which Thou didst promise of old to Abraham and to his seed.
@billymiguelsequeirabonilla7835
1:46 Perfection, my favorite part of the whole Réquiem.
@thegoalfather9922
I always slip out of reality, when I'm deep into this part
@Montu-pc5gp
I agree. it slaps
@samuelhucko4127
Absolutely, the best part.
@ikee01
Tuve la suerte de dirigir una vez el Requiem de Mozart, para su estudio escuché y analicé muchas versiones Para mi modestia opinión, la mejor versión del Requiem de Mozart que jamás he escuchado.
@ophirisr
This is in my opinion a pure and divine music, one of the very perfect ones.
@jeffy5482
I really enjoy this tempo. And I think that Gardiner was absolutely divine here. I love his attention to details. Listen to how he got the tenors to bring out their moving part in "lacu" at 0:30. You almost never hear that part because of the register it's in but hearing it performed (and probably done so correctly) brings a whole new element to that section. Probably my favorite movement from this entire concert. Brilliant.
@cenodus
Aside, I think this performance of the 'Quam Olim Abrahe' fugatto is one of the greatest I have heard. Gardiner always brings such sober and delightful music out of his soloists and choir (also great performances that any music lover should check are Gardiner's Bach Mass in B minor and his Passions!)
@BillHilton
Brilliant - the tempo emphasises the urgency, drive and anger of the "promisisti". it becomes "you *promised* - you'd better deliver". A kind of waving a fist at God. And listen to that trombone at 2.18. I know it's Sussmayr's, but it's like it just can't resist singing along with the tenors. Joyous, sad and angry all at once. Only criticism is that the brass could be a touch clearer - that could be YouTube, though.
@gonzalo4658
I was close to liking your comment until you said “I know it’s Sussmayr’s” like that’s a problem. This is one of the most divine pieces out there (what do you have against Sussmayr)