Laurier Choirs: Lyrics and Translations

March 26, 2025

Requiem

I. Introitus

Give them eternal rest, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine on them.
There will be songs of praise to you in Zion,
and prayers in Jerusalem.
O hear my prayers;
all flesh returns to you.

II. Kyrie

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

III. Sequentia

1. A day of wrath; that day,
it will dissolve the world into glowing ashes,
as attested by David together with the Sibyl.
What trembling will there be,
when the Judge shall come
to examine everything in strict justice.

2. The trumpet's wondrous call sounding abroad
in tombs throughout the world
shall drive everybody forward to the throne.
Death and nature shall stand amazed
when creation rises again
to give answer to its Judge.
A written book will be brought forth
in which everything is contained
from which the world shall be judged.
So when the Judge is seated,
whatever is hidden will be made known:
nothing shall go unpunished.
What shall I, wretch, say at that time?
What advocate shall I entreat (to plead for me)
when scarcely the righteous shall be safe from damnation?

3. King of awesome majesty,
who to grants salvation to those that are to be saved, save me, O fount of Piety.

4. Remember, dear Jesus,
that I am the reason for Thy journey (into this world):
do not cast me away on that day.
Seeking me, Thou didst sit down weary,
Thou didst redeem me, suffering the death on the Cross:
let not such toil have been in vain.
Just Judge of vengeance,
grant me the gift of pardon
before the day of reckoning.
I groan like one condemned:
my face blushes for my sins:
spare a supplicant, O God.
Thou who didst absolve Mary (Magdalene),
and heard the robber,
hast given me hope as well.
My prayers are not worthy:
but Thou, of Thy goodness, deal generously (with me),
that I burn not in the everlasting flame.
Give me a place among the sheep,
and separate me from the goats,
setting me on Thy right hand.

5. When the accursed have been confounded
and sentenced to acrid flames,
call me along with the blessed.
I prostrate myself, supplicating,
my heart in ashes, repentant;
take good care of my last moment!

6. That day will be one of weeping
on which shall rise again from the embers
the guilty man, to be judged.
Therefore spare him, O God.
Merciful Lord Jesus,
grant them rest. Amen.

IV. Offertorium

1. Lord Jesus Christ, King of glory,
deliver the souls of all the faithful departed
from punishments of hell,
and from the deep lake.
Deliver them from the mouth of the lion,
may the abyss not swallow them up,
may they not fall into darkness.
But may the holy standard-bearer Michael
lead them to that holy light
which of old Thou didst promise Abraham
and his seed.

2. Sacrifices and prayers to Thee,
O Lord, we offer with praise.
O receive them for the souls of those
whom today we commemorate.
Make them, O Lord,
to pass from death to life,
which of old Thou didst promise Abraham
and his seed.

V. Sanctus

Holy, holy, holy
Lord God of Hosts.
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.

VI. Benedictus

Blessed is he who comes
in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

VII. Agnus Dei

Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, grant them rest.
Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, grant them rest.
Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, grant them everlasting rest.

VIII. Communio

Let perpetual light shine upon them, O Lord,
with your saints for ever,
for you are merciful.
Grant them eternal rest, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.