Mozart Requiem Texts and Translations
Introit
1. Requiem aeternam 1. Requiem aeternam
Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine, Grant them eternal rest, O Lord
et lux perpetua luceat eis. and let perpetual light shine on them.
Te decet hymnus, Deus, in Sion, You are praised, God, in Zion,
et tibi reddetur votum in Jerusalem. and homage will be paid to You in Jerusalem.
Exaudi orationem meam, Hear my prayer,
ad te omnis care veniet. to You all flesh will come.
Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine, Grant them eternal rest, Lord,
et lux perpetua luceat eis. and let perpetual light shine on them.
2. Kyrie 2. Kyrie
Kyrie, eleison. Lord, have mercy on us.
Christe, eleison. Christ, have mercy on us.
Kyrie, eleison. Lord, have mercy on us.
Sequence
3. Dies irae 3. Dies irae
Dies irae, dies illa Day of wrath, day of anger
solvet saeclum in favilla, will dissolve the world in ashes,
teste David cum Sibylla. as foretold by David and the Sibyl.
Quantus tremor est futurus, Great trembling there will be
quando judex est venturus, when the Judge descends from heaven
cuncta stricte discussurus! to examine all things closely.
4. Tuba mirum 4. Tuba mirum
Tuba mirum spargens sonum The trumpet will send its wondrous sound
per sepulcra regionum, throughout earth’s sepulchres
coget omnes ante thronum. and gather all before the throne.
Mors stupebit et natura, Death and nature will be astounded,
cum resurget creatura, when all creation rises again,
judicanti responsura. to answer the judgement.
Liber scriptus proferetur, A book will be brought forth,
in quo totum continetur, in which all will be written,
unde mundus judicetur. by which the world will be judged.
Judex ergo cum sedebit, When the judge takes his place,
quidquid latet, apparebit, what is hidden will be revealed,
nil inultum remanebit. nothing will remain unavenged.
Quid sum miser tunc dicturus? What shall a wretch like me say?
quem patronum rogaturus, Who shall intercede for me,
cum vix justus sit securus? when the just ones need mercy?
5. Rex tremendae 5. Rex tremendae
Rex tremendae majestatis, King of tremendous majesty,
qui salvandos savas gratis, who freely saves those worthy ones,
salve me, fons pietatis. save me, source of mercy.
6. Recordare 6. Recordare
Recordare, Jesu pie, Remember, kind Jesus,
quod sum causa tuae viae; my salvation caused your suffering;
ne me perdas illa die. do not forsake me on that day.
Quaerens me, sedisti lassus, Faint and weary you have sought me,
redemisti crucem passus; redeemed me, suffering on the cross;
tantus labor non sit cassus. may such great effort not be in vain.
Juste judex ultionis, Righteous judge of vengeance,
donum fac remissionis grant me the gift of absolution
ante diem rationis. before the day of retribution.
Ingemisco, tamquam reus: I moan as one who is guilty:
culpa rubet vultus meus; owning my shame with a red face;
supplicanti parce, Deus. suppliant before you, Lord.
Qui Mariam absolvisti, You, who absolved Mary,
et latronem exaudisti, and listened to the thief,
mihi quoque spem dedisti. give me hope also.
Preces meae non sunt dignae, My prayers are unworthy,
sed tu, bonus, fac benigne, but, good Lord, have mercy,
ne perenni cremer igne. and rescue me from eternal fire.
Inter oves locum praesta, Provide me a place among the sheep,
Et ab haedis me sequestra, and separate me from the goats,
Statuens in parte dextra. guiding me to Your right hand.
7. Confutatis 7. Confutatis
Confutatis maledictis, When the accused are confounded,
flammis acribus addictis, and doomed to flames of woe,
voca me cum benedictus. call me among the blessed.
Oro supplex et acclinis, I kneel with submissive heart,
cor contritum quasi cinis, my contrition is like ashes,
gere curam mei finis. help me in my final condition.
8. Lacrimosa 8. Lacrimosa
Lacrimosa dies illa, That day of tears and mourning,
qua resurget ex favilla when from the ashes shall arise,
judicandus homo reus. all humanity to be judged.
Huic ergo parce, Deus, Spare us by your mercy, Lord,
pie Jesu Domine, gentle Lord Jesus,
dona eis requiem. Amen. grant them eternal rest. Amen.
Offertory
9. Domine Jesu 9. Domine Jesu
Domine Jesu Christe, Rex gloriae, Lord Jesus Christ, King of glory,
libera animas omnium fidelium liberate the souls of the faithful,
defunctorum de poenis inferni departed from the pains of hell
et de profundo lacu. and from the bottomless pit.
Libera eas de ore leonis, Deliver them from the lion's mouth,
ne absorbeat eas tartarus, lest hell swallow them up,
ne cadant in obscurum. lest they fall into darkness.
Sed signifer sanctus Michael Let the standard-bearer, holy Michael,
repraesentet eas in lucem sanctam. bring them into holy light.
Quam olim Abrahae promisisti Which was promised to Abraham
et semini ejus. and his descendants.
10. Hostias 10. Hostias
Hostias et preces tibi, Domine, Sacrifices and prayers of praise, Lord,
laudis offerimus. we offer to You.
Tu sucipe pro animabus illis, Receive them in behalf of those souls
quaram hodie memoriam facimus. we commemorate today.
Fac eas, Domine, And let them, Lord,
de morte transire ad vitam, pass from death to life,
Quam olim Abrahae promisisti which was promised to Abraham
et semini ejus. and his descendants.
11. Sanctus 11. Sanctus
Sanctus, sanctus, sanctus Holy, Holy, Holy,
Dominus Deus Sabaoth. Lord God of Hosts.
Pleni sunt caeli et terra gloria tua. Heaven and earth are full of they glory.
Hosanna in excelsis. Hosanna in the highest.
12. Benedictus 12. Benedictus
Benedictus qui venit Blessed is he who comes
in nomine Domini. in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in excelsis. Hosanna in the highest.
Agnus Dei
13. Agnus Dei 13. Agnus Dei
Agnus Dei, qui tollis Lamb of God, who takes away
peccata mundi, the sins of the world,
dona eis requiem. grant them eternal rest.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis Lamb of God, who takes away
peccata mundi, the sins of the world,
dona eis requiem. Grant them eternal rest.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis Lamb of God, who takes away
peccata mundi, the sins of the world,
dona eis requiem sempiternam. grant them eternal rest forever.
Communion
14. Lux aeterna
Lux aeterna luceat eis, Domine, Let eternal light shine on them, Lord,
cum sanctis tuis in aeternum, as with Your saints in eternity,
quia pius es. because You are merciful.
Requiem aeternum dona eis, Domine, Grant them eternal rest, Lord,
et Lux perpetua luceat eis, and let perpetual light shine on them,
cum Sanctus tuis in aeternum, as with Your saints in eternity,
quia pius es. because You are merciful.
