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.
Offertorium Domine Jesu
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.
Sed signifer Sanctus Michael
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
@musical_pollybreed6438
(0:11)
You take a mortal man
And put him in control
Watch him become a God
Watch people's heads a-roll
A-roll
A-roll
Just like the pied piper
Led rats through the streets
We dance like marionettes
Swaying to the symphony of destruction
Acting like a robot
It's metal brain corrodes
You try to take its pulse
Before the head explodes
Explodes
Explodes
Argh
Just like the pied piper
Led rats through the streets
We dance like marionettes
Swaying to the symphony
Just like the pied piper
Led rats through the streets
We dance like marionettes
Swaying to the symphony
Swaying to the symphony of destruction
The Earth starts to rumble
World powers fall
A warring for the heavens
A peaceful man stands tall
A-tall
A-tall
Just like the pied piper
Led rats through the streets
We dance like marionettes
Swaying to the symphony
Just like the pied piper
Led rats through the streets
We dance like marionettes
Swaying to the symphony
Swaying to the symphony of destruction
@rangerwhiskeybreath4935
Today we are spoiled with music and media. But imagine seeing this in concert at the time, it must've been like standing before God on his throne in heaven!
@vigokovacic3488
Very well said and noticed.
@raginald7mars408
still now today voce Dei
@lysajsmrtihlav6549
Actually, this is sacred music. It's not written for concerts, but for liturgy, specifically funeral services. In Mozart's time, it was the norm to attend liturgy at least every Sunday, and the liturgy was accompanied by very fine music (even by today's standards). Arguably, the average person's exposure to quality classical music was far greater in Mozart's time than it is today.
@scholaroftheworldalternatehist
Go to church. Sounds better in person still
@supernivemdealbabor
It was not like standing before God in his Trhone in Heaven.
It is literally even today, as before and as always is going to be: standing before God on his altar.
This is performed at Catholic Masses not at concerts. In front of the unique and true Altare Dei.
@maximilianbjorklund6544
1:59 always gives me chills
@MaestraWashu
Same! The "Quam olim Abrahae" section might be my favorite bit of the entire Requiem.
@melcat713
SAME.
@thiagopezzini
pra mim a mesma coisa