Dies irae facts for kids
Dies irae (pronounced "dee-ess ee-rye") means "the Day of Wrath" in Latin. It is a very old and famous poem or chant from at least the 13th century. Some people think it might be even older, possibly written by important figures like St. Gregory the Great or Bernard of Clairvaux.
This poem is written in Medieval Latin and has a special rhythm and rhyme. It talks about the Last Judgment, which is a religious idea about a time when everyone will be judged for their actions. The "Dies irae" is most famous for being used in Requiem masses, which are special church services for the dead.
The main tune for "Dies irae" is very well-known and has been used in many different kinds of music. You might have even heard it in recent movies like The Shining and The Lion King because of its dramatic sound.
What the Poem Says
The "Dies irae" poem has many parts, called stanzas. Each stanza talks about different ideas related to the Last Judgment. Here are some of the main parts:
| Stanza | Original Latin | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| I | Dies iræ, dies illa Solvet sæclum in favilla, Teste David cum Sibylla. |
Day of wrath and doom impending. David's word with Sibyl's blending, Heaven and earth in ashes ending. |
| II | Quantus tremor est futurus, Quando Judex est venturus, Cuncta stricte discussurus! |
Oh, what fear man's bosom rendeth, When from heaven the Judge descendeth, On whose sentence all dependeth. |
| III | Tuba mirum spargens sonum, Per sepulchra regionum, Coget omnes ante thronum. |
Wondrous sound the trumpet flingeth; Through earth's sepulchres it ringeth; All before the throne it bringeth. |
| IV | Mors stupebit et natura, Cum resurget creatura, Judicanti responsura. |
Death is struck, and nature quaking, All creation is awaking, To its Judge an answer making. |
| V | Liber scriptus proferetur, In quo totum continetur, Unde mundus judicetur. |
Lo, the book, exactly worded, Wherein all hath been recorded, Thence shall judgement be awarded. |
| VI | Judex ergo cum sedebit, Quidquid latet apparebit: Nil inultum remanebit. |
When the Judge his seat attaineth, And each hidden deed arraigneth, Nothing unavenged remaineth. |
| VII | Quid sum miser tunc dicturus? Quem patronum rogaturus, Cum vix justus sit securus? |
What shall I, frail man, be pleading? Who for me be interceding, When the just are mercy needing? |
| VIII | Rex tremendæ majestatis, Qui salvandos salvas gratis, Salva me, fons pietatis. |
King of Majesty tremendous, Who dost free salvation send us, Fount of pity, then befriend us! |
| IX | Recordare, Jesu pie, Quod sum causa tuæ viæ: Ne me perdas illa die. |
Think, kind Jesu! – my salvation Caused Thy wondrous Incarnation; Leave me not to reprobation. |
| X | Quærens me, sedisti lassus: Redemisti Crucem passus: Tantus labor non sit cassus. |
Faint and weary, Thou hast sought me, On the Cross of suffering bought me. Shall such grace be vainly brought me? |
| XI | Juste Judex ultionis, Donum fac remissionis, Ante diem rationis. |
Righteous Judge, for sin's pollution Grant Thy gift of absolution, Ere the day of retribution. |
| XII | Ingemisco, tamquam reus: Culpa rubet vultus meus: Supplicanti parce, Deus. |
Guilty, now I pour my moaning, All my shame with anguish owning; Spare, O God, Thy suppliant groaning! |
| XIII | Qui Mariam absolvisti, Et latronem exaudisti, Mihi quoque spem dedisti. |
Through the sinful woman shriven, Through the dying thief forgiven, Thou to me a hope hast given. |
| XIV | Preces meæ non sunt dignæ; Sed tu bonus fac benigne, Ne perenni cremer igne. |
Worthless are my prayers and sighing, Yet, good Lord, in grace complying, Rescue me from fires undying. |
| XV | Inter oves locum præsta. Et ab hædis me sequestra, Statuens in parte dextra. |
With Thy sheep a place provide me, From the goats afar divide me, To Thy right hand do Thou guide me. |
| XVI | Confutatis maledictis, Flammis acribus addictis, Voca me cum benedictis. |
When the wicked are confounded, Doomed to flames of woe unbounded, Call me with Thy saints surrounded. |
| XVII | Oro supplex et acclinis, Cor contritum quasi cinis, Gere curam mei finis. |
Low I kneel, with heart's submission, See, like ashes, my contrition, Help me in my last condition. |
| XVIII | Lacrimosa dies illa, Qua resurget ex favilla, Judicandus homo reus. Huic ergo parce, Deus: |
Ah! that day of tears and mourning, From the dust of earth returning Man for judgement must prepare him, Spare, O God, in mercy spare him. |
| XIX | Pie Jesu Domine, Dona eis requiem. Amen. |
Lord, all-pitying, Jesus blest, Grant them Thine eternal rest. Amen. |
The poem sometimes includes a final prayer:
| Original Latin | English Meaning |
|---|---|
|
O tu, Deus majestatis, |
O God of majesty |
Images for kids
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This painting by Hans Memling shows a scene of the Last Judgment, which is what the "Dies irae" poem is about.
See also
In Spanish: Dies irae para niños
