Dies Irae

That Day of Wrath, that dreadful day, shall heaven and earth in ashes lay, as David and the Sybil say.

What horror must invade the mind when the appoaching Judge shall find and sift the deeds of all mankind!

The mighty trumpet's wonderous tone shall rend each tomb's sepulchral stone and summon all before the Throne.

Now death and Nature with surprise behold the trembling sinner rise to meet the Judge's searching eyes.

Then shall with universal dread, the Book of Consciences be read to judge the lives of all the dead.

For now before the Judge severe, all hidden things must plain appear, no crime can pass unpunished here.

O what shall I, so guilty, plead? And who for me will intercede? When even Saints shall comfort need.

Thou, King of dreadful majesty! Who grace and mercy grantest free, as Fount of Kindness, save Thou me!

Recall, dear Jesus, for my sake Thou didst our suffering nature take. Then do not now my soul forsake!

In weariness Thou soughtest me, and suffering upon the tree! Let not in vain Thy labor be.

O Judge of Justice, hear, I pray, for pity take my sins away before the dreadful reckoning Day.

Thy gracious face, O Lord, I seek; deep shame and grief are on my cheek, in sighs and tears my sorrows speak.

Thou who didst Magdalenes's guilt unbind and mercy for the robber find Hast filled with hope my anxious mind.

How worthless are my prayers, I know, yet, Lord forbid that I should go into the fires of endless woe.

Divorced from the accursed band, O make me with Thy sheep to stand A child of grace, at Thy right Hand.

When the doomed no more can flee from the flames of misery with the chosen call Thou me.

Before Thee, humbled, Lord I lie, my heart like ashes, crushed and dry. Do thou assist me when I die.

Full of tears and full of dread is that Day that wakes the dead. Calling all, with solemn blast to be judged for all their past.

Lord have mercy, Jesus blest, grant them all Thy Light and Rest. Amen