Tuba Mirum
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Lyrics


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Tuba mirum spargens sonum
per sepulchra regionum,
coget omnes ante thronum.

Mors stupebit et natura,
cum resurget creatura,
judicanti responsura.
Liber scriptus proferetur,
in quo totum continetur,
unde mundus judicetur.

Judex ergo cum sedebit,
quidquid latet apparebit,
nil inultum remanebit.

Quid sum miser tunc dicturus?




quem patronum rogaturus,
cum vix justus sit securus?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics are from the Latin hymn Tuba Mirum, which translates to "wondrous trumpet." It describes the end of the world, where the trumpet sounds, and the dead rise from their graves to face judgement before God's throne. Death and nature itself will be amazed, and the resurrected will answer to the judge. This day is also called the day of wrath when the world will be judged, and a book containing everyone's deeds will be opened for judgement. On judgement day, everyone, righteous or not, will have to stand before the judge, and there will be no one to plead for the sinner.


Mozart composed Tuba Mirum as part of his Requiem Mass in 1791, a work that he left unfinished at his death. The piece was eventually completed by his student Franz Xaver Süssmayr. The song is dramatic and intense, composed for a choir and orchestra, with a booming brass section that evokes the trumpet mentioned in the lyrics. It is a powerful reflection on life, death, and the final judgement, and remains one of Mozart's most beloved choral works.


Line by Line Meaning

Tuba mirum spargens sonum
A trumpet sounding will spread a remarkable sound


Per sepulchra regionum
Throughout the tombs of the earth


Coget omnes ante thronum.
It will bring everyone before the throne.


Mors stupebit et natura,
Death and nature will be astounded


Cum resurget creatura,
When the creature rises


Judicanti responsura.
To answer to the judge.


Liber scriptus proferetur,
The written book will be brought forth


In quo totum continetur,
In which everything is contained


Unde mundus judicetur.
From which the world will be judged.


Judex ergo cum sedebit,
Therefore when the judge is seated


Quidquid latet apparebit,
Whatever is hidden will be revealed


Nil inultum remanebit.
Nothing will remain unpunished.


Quid sum miser tunc dicturus?
What wretched person shall I then say?


Quem patronum rogaturus,
What patron will I ask


Cum vix justus sit securus?
When scarcely the just man is secure?




Contributed by Juliana M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@JeniferLohan

Tuba mirum spargens sonum
per sepulcra regionum,
coget omnes ante thronum.
Mors stupebit et natura
cum resurget creatura,
judicanti responsura.
Liber scriptus proferetur,
in quo totum continetur,
unde mundus judicetur.
Judex ergo cum sedebit,
quidquid latet apparebit:
nil inultum remanebit.
Quid sum miser tunc dicturus?
Quem patronum rogaturus,
cum vix justus sit seccurus?



@Delmonaco1969

Tuba mirum spargens sonum
per sepulcra regionum,
coget omnes ante thronum.
Mors stupebit et natura
cum resurget creatura,
judicanti responsura.
Liber scriptus proferetur,
in quo totum continetur,
unde mundus judicetur.
Judex ergo cum sedebit,
quidquid latet apparebit:
nil inultum remanebit.
Quid sum miser tunc dicturus?
Quem patronum rogaturus,
cum vix justus sit seccurus?



All comments from YouTube:

@Silverswag-ic4ix

The contrast between the bass and tenor shocked me. The bass was quiet and was in b flat major, while the tenor was loud and in f minor with a modulation to d minor. Superb

@Antony-pp8dg

The tenor part of this gives me shivers... just soooo beautiful!

@janjabaribwegure3688

Im agree with you!

@Equinox1.5

Me too :-) It's also the easiest part for me to sing (as a woman, though it's just as easily in the alto register as the tenor).

@Mrsugarbaby007

@Rose Viola as a woman?? Good luck trying beating Herr. Schreier 😛

@Equinox1.5

@Hassan Moussa I'm not trying to "beat" anybody but as a contralto, I can sing the tenor part with ease. The contralto and tenor registers are not too far apart.

@Mrsugarbaby007

@Rose Viola that I would love to hear🙏🙏 I was only joking, please don't take it seriously 😊🌹🌹

2 More Replies...

@joshuanye1558

how can anyone unlike this? Mozart take no notice you legendary genius I love you...

@marcor3843

The Verdi fanboys, perhaps?

I mean, I love both Requiems, but some people can take favoritism too far.

@irenashiloh8808

Beautiful vocals - all 4! 👏👌

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