Dies Irae

Introduction

The Dies Irae is commonly attributed to the authorship of Friar Thomas of Celano, author of the First and Second Life of Saint Francis. It is a hymn of singular awe and piety. It is customarily sung as part of the Requiem Mass, the mass said for the repose of the deceased. It is also can be said in three parts thirds during the canonical hours on days commemorating the dead, in the New Roman Breviary of 1975.

The date of composition is the mid thirteenth century.

The hymn is a meditation on the Last Judgment, when Christ will come again in glory, no longer granting mercy, but as the Just Judge who will separate the just from the wicked, casting the latter into eternal fire, and welcoming the former to eternal bliss. The hymn closes with a supplication for mercy before the coming of that terrible day.

The Latin texts from the Gruaduale Romano-Seraphicum and the Roman Breviary are found below. The English translation is not official.

Latin Text from the Graduale Romano Seraphico, Ordinis Fratrum Minorum, typis Societatis S. Joannis Evangelistae, Desclee & Socii, Paris, 1932, in the sequence for the Missa pro Defunctis, pp. 97-100.	Latin Text from the Roman Breviary of 1975 [Liturgy of the Hours: According to the Roman Rite, Catholic Book Publishing Co., New York, 1975, vol. IV, pp. 2013-2015.	A Literal English Translation by The Franciscan Archive
Dies irae, dies illa Solvet saeclum in favilla, Teste David cum Sibylla.	Dies irae, dies illa solvet saeclum in favilla, teste David cum Sibylla.	Day of wrath, day that will dissolve the world into burning coals, as David bore witness with the Sibyl.
Quantus tremor est futurus, Quando iudex est venturus Cuncta stricte discussurus!	Quantus tremor est futurus, quando iudex est venturus cuncta stricte discussurus!	How great a tremor is to be, when the judge is to come briskly shattering every (grave).
Tuba mirum spargens sonum Per sepulcra regionum, Coget omnes ante thronum.	Tuba mirum spargens sonum per sepulcra regionum, coget omnes ante thronum.	A trumpet sounding an astonishing sound through the tombs of the region drives all (men) before the throne.
Mors stupebit et natura, Cum resurget creatura Iudicanti responsura.	Mors stupebit et natura, cum resurget creatura iudicanti responsura.	Death will be stunned and (so) will Nature, when arises (man) the creature responding to the One judging.
Liber scriptus proferetur, In quo totum continetur Unde mundus iudicetur.	Liber scriptus proferetur, in quo totum continetur unde mundus iudicetur.	The written book will be brought forth, in which the whole (record of evidence) is contained whence the world is to be judged.
Iudex ergo cum sedebit, Quiqquid latet apparebit: Nil inultum remanebit.	Iudex ergo cum sedebit, quicquid latet apparebit; nil inultum remanebit.	Therefore when the Judge shall sit, whatever lay hidden will appear; nothing unavenged will remain.
	O tu, Deus maiestatis, alme candor Trinitatis, nos coniunge cum beatis.	O Thou, God of Majesty, nourishing brilliance of the Trinity, join us with the Blessed.

Quid sum miser tunc dicturus? Quem patronum rogaturus? Cum vix iustus sit securus.	Quid sum miser tunc dicturus, quem patronum rogaturus, cum vix iustus sit securus?	What am I the wretch then to say? what patron I to beseech? when scarcely the just (man) be secure.
Rex tremendae maiestatis, Qui salvandos salvas gratis, Salva me, fons pietatis.	Rex tremendae maiestatis, qui salvandos salvas gratis, salva me, fons pietatis.	King of tremendous Majesty, who saves those-to-be-saved free, save me, Fount of piety.
Recordare, Iesu pie, Quod sum causa tuae viae: Ne me perdas illa die.	Recordare, Iesu pie, quid sum causa tuae viae, ne me perdas illa die.	Remember, faithful Jesus, because I am the cause of your journey: do not lose me on that day.
Quaerens me sedisti lassus: redemisti crucem passus: tantus labor non sit cassus.	Quaerens me sedisiti lassus, redemisti crucem passus; tantus labor non sit cassus.	Thou has sat down as one wearied seeking me, Thou has redeemed (me) having suffered the Cross: so much labor let it not be lost.
Iuste iudex ultionis, donum fac remissionis, ante diem rationis.	Iuste iudex ultionis, donum fac remissionis ante diem rationis.	Just judge of the avenging-punishment, work the gift of the remission (of sins) before the Day of the Reckoning.
Ingemisco, tamquam reus: culpa rubet vultus meus: supplicanti parce Deus.	Ingemisco tamquam reus, culpa rubet vultus meus; supplicanti parce Deus.	I groan, as the accused: my face grows red from (my) fault: spare (this) supplicant, O God.
	O tu, Deus maiestatis, alme candor Trinitatis, nos coniunge cum beatis.	O Thou, God of Majesty, nourishing brilliance of the Trinity, join us with the Blessed.

Qui Mariam absolvisit Et latronem exaudisti, Mihi quoque spem dedisti.	Peccatricem qui solvisit et latronem exaudisti, mihi quoque spem dedisti.	Thou who forgave Mary [the sinful woman], and favorably heard the (good) thief, hast also given me hope.
Preces meae non sunt dignae: Sed tu, bonus, fac benigne, Ne perenni cremer igne.	Preces meae non sunt dignae, sed tu, bonus, fac benigne ne perenni cremer igne.	My prayers are not worthy, but do Thou, Good (God), deal kindly lest I burn in perennial fire.
Inter oves locum praesta, Et ab haedis me sequestra, Statuens in parte dextra.	Inter oves locum praesta et ab haedis me sequestra, statuens in parte dextra.	Among the sheep offer (me) a place and from the goats sequester me, placing (me) at (Thy) right hand.
Confutatis maledictis, Flammis acribus addictis: Voca me cum benedictis.	Confutatis maledictis, flammis acribus addictis, voca me cum benedictis.	After the accursed have been silenced, given up to the bitter flames, call me with the blest.
Oro supplex et acclinis, Cor contritum quasi cinis: Gere curam mei finis.	Oro supplex et acclinis, cor contritum quasi cinis, gere curam mei finis.	Kneeling and bowed down I pray, My heart contrite as ashes: Do Thou {, my End,} care for my end.
Lacrimosa dies illa, Qua resurget ex favilla Judicandus homo reus: Huic ergo parce, Deus.	Lacrimosa dies illa, qua resurget ex favilla iudicandus homo reus: huic ergo parce, Deus.	That sorrowful day, on which will arise from the buring coals Man accused to be judged: therefore, O God, do Thou spare him.
Pie Jesu Domine, dona eis requiem. Amen.		Faithful Lord Jesus, grant them rest. Amen.
	O tu, Deus maiestatis, alme candor Trinitatis, nos coniunge cum beatis. Amen.	O Thou, God of Majesty, nourishing brilliance of the Trinity, join us with the Blessed. Amen.

The English translation published here has been released to the public domain by its author. Items within round ( ) brackets are English words added to clarify the meaning of the denoted or connotated Latin signification. Items in square [ ] brackets, are translations of terms in the Latin text from the new Breviary. Items in braces { } represent translations of Latin terms which have simultaneous double meanings.

Dies Irae

A Literal English Translation