Dies Irae chant in English?
  • Heath
    Posts: 934
    Friends, I know I've seen an English singing translation set to the traditional melody, but I can't find it online right now. Any help?

    Thanks in advance!
  • Here's my version which uses John Newton's textual trope (1774) with some alterations to my own troped melody of the Dies Iræ which I call 'Judgement Day'.

    It's real fun with some organ text painting! One of my favorite things we sing all year.

    And I apologize for not having an SATB file; I harmonize each verse differently based on the text.

    image
  • Heath
    Posts: 934
    Thank you, gents!
    Thanked by 1trentonjconn
  • I found this updated version in a missalette somewhere. It is emphatically NOT appropriate for liturgical use.

    Day of wrath and day of ashes,

    When God comes to kick our as-es:

    Sybil, David say what passes

    

Earth and us will all be shaking

    When the Judge, his judgment making,

    Says our holiness was faking.



    Gabriel, like Miles Davis blowing
    
trumpet, to the whole world going,

    calls us to our bad acts showing.



    Death and natures’ jaws be dropping

    While the dead from graves be popping

    Hoping they’ll a plea be copping.

    

Look! Oh no! God videoed us!

    When that video is showed us

    We’ll get everything that’s owed us.



    While the Judge in court is sitting

    Sure we’ll in our pants be shi--ing
    
Our just punishment we’re getting.

    

I will be too scared for talking.

    What slick lawyer gets me walking
    
When on bishops’ doors God’s knocking?



    You’re the King (not of the Lakers)

    You are holy, we are fakers.

    Be our buddy, not our Maker.



    For my evil, you were brung up.
    
For my hangups you were hung up.

    For my sins should I be shut up?

    You saved Dismas, you saved Mary

    From the fires of Hell most scary
    
Jesus, me to Heaven carry.

    Sad and guilty I am sighing, 

    Scared of an eternal dying
    
Jesus, thanks for mercy buying.

    On that day of stomach churning

    Eyes and feet and buttocks burning

    We for justice must prepare us

    Spare, O God, in mercy spare us.
    Lord of pity, Jesus blessed

    Give to us eternal rest. Amen
  • This absolutely made my day. I’m cracking up.
  • Thank goodness Thomas of Celano doesn’t have internet access to see that.
  • Richard MixRichard Mix
    Posts: 2,768
    Thank goodness Thomas of Celano doesn’t have internet

    Now you've placed before me the temptation to see what Google translate would show him.