From its Gershwinesque opening theme to its ecstatic train wreck of an ending, Hugh Emerson's "Requiem in F" is probably the shortest, happiest work of its type ever written. Picture, if you will, the unknown composers of all of your favorite spirituals taking on the Latin text of a requiem mass and expressing their joy at having eternal rest and light to look forward to after a life of toil and trouble.The Introit and Kyrie movement starts out with a laid-back request for eternal rest followed by a more urgent chant for Christ's mercy that seems to call out for some kind of choreography.
The traditional Dies Irae (day of anger) movement has been replaced by the Dies Tubae (day of the trumpet) to fit in with the composer's theology; after all, what do the redeemed have to fear from a just Judge? The structure and chord progression is strongly reminiscent of "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot".
The Offertorio movement uses traditional lyrics but spices them up a bit by setting them to a syncopated beat, then offers up a surprise in counterpoint.
The Sanctus movement begins by turning the chorus into cheerleaders for God, then it slows down to a direct quote of "Deep River" in the Benedictus section.
The Agnus Dei movement starts out as a reflective waltz in F minor that the basses interrupt with a happy thought. The opening theme from the Introit is heard again, then the tenors lead the choir in joyful contrapuntal expression of the eternal light to come.
The Liberabit Me movement turns the usual last movement of the mass on its ear; instead of "I am fearful and trembling", this movement is saying "I am fearful and trembling -- NOT!" The music is reminiscent of the traditional Jamaican song "Yellow Bird". The Introit's opening theme is heard for the last time, and the work ends in a joyful rhapsody.
Introit and Kyrie MP3
Requiem aeternam dona nobis, Domine, et lux perpetua lucebit nobis. Te decet hymnus, Deus, in Zion, et tibi redetur votum in Jerusalem. Ad te omnes caro veniet. Exaudi orationem nostram: Kyrie eleison, Kyrie eleison! Kyrie eleison, Christe eleison! Christe eleison, Christe eleison. Kyrie eleison, Kyrie eleison, Kyrie eleison!
Give us eternal rest, Lord, and perpetual light will shine on us.
A hymn becomes you in Zion, God, and a vow will be paid to you in Jerusalem.
All flesh comes to you; hear our prayer: Lord, have mercy, Christ, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!
Tuba mirum, spargens per sepulchra sonum (requiem aeternam), Coget omnes regionum ante thronum (requiem aeternam). Proferetur in quo totum continetur (requiem aeternam): Liber scriptus unde mundus judicetur (requiem aeternam). Requiem aeternam, dona nobis requiem. Mors stupebit cum resurget creatura (requiem aeternam), Et natura judicanti responsura (requiem aeternam). Benedicta et tremenda dies illa (requiem aeternam) Qua resurget homo reus ex favilla (requiem aeternam). Requiem aeternam, dona nobis requiem. Juste judex, ne me perdas illa die (requiem aeternam); Recordare quod amas et redimisti me (requiem aeternam). Jesu pie, inter oves locum praesta (requiem aeternam); Me sequestra, statuens in parte dextra (requiem aeternam). Requiem aeternam, dona nobis requiem. (requiem aeternam) Requiem aeternam!
The wonderful trumpet, resounding through the tombs, (eternal rest) calls everyone before the throne (eternal rest).
The thing that contains everything will be offered (eternal rest): the written book out of which the world will be judged (eternal rest).
Eternal rest, eternal rest; give us eternal rest!
Death will stun when all of creation arises (eternal rest) and nature responds to the Judge (eternal rest).
Blessed and tremendous will that day be (eternal rest) when man the defendant arises from the ashes (eternal rest)
Eternal rest, eternal rest; give us eternal rest!
Just Judge, don't forget me on that day (eternal rest); remember that you love me and have redeemed me (eternal rest).
Blessed Jesus, place me among your sheep (eternal rest); keep me separated out, standing on your right side (eternal rest).
Eternal rest, eternal rest; give us eternal rest! Eternal rest, eternal rest!
Domine Jesu Christe,
libera animas omnium de poenis inferni;
ne absorbeat eas Tartarus,
sed signifer Sanctus Michael
repraesentet eas in lucem sanctam
quam olim Abrahae promisisti et semini ejus.
Hostias et preces tibi, Domine;
laudis, laudis offerimus.
O Jesu, Rex Gloriae, laudis offerimus.
Lord Jesus Christ, free all souls from the pains of Hell;
don't let them be swallowed into Tartarus,
but send the blessed Michael
to bring them into the holy light as you once promised Abraham and his seed.
We offer prayers and sacrifices to You, Lord;
we praise You. O Jesus, King of Glory, we praise you.
Sanctus, sanctus sanctus Dominus! Pleni sunt coeli et terra gloria gloria tua; pleni sunt coeli et plena est terra cum gloria gloria tua! Hosanna in excelsis! Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini; benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini. Hosanna in excelsis; sanctus, sanctus, sanctus.
Holy, holy, holy Lord!
Heaven and Earth are full of Your glory!
Hosanna in the highest!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest; holy, holy, holy.
(Agnus Dei, Domine Deus!)
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona nobis requiem.
Lux aeterna, lux perpetua luceat nobis, Domine,
cum sanctis tuis in aeternum quia pius, quia pius es.
Requiem aeternam dona nobis, Domine, et lux perpetua lucebit nobis.
(Et lux perpetua lucebit nobis). Lamb of God, Lord God!
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, give us rest.
Let eternal, perpetual light shine on us, Lord,
with Your saints in eternity; for you are blessed.
Give us eternal rest, Lord, and perpetual light will shine on us,
and perpetual light will shine on us.
Liberabit me! Liberabit me! Scio quod liberabit me!
Tremens non factus sum,
et non timeo dum
Jesus venerit cum
potentia; scio quod liberabit me!
Libera me de morte aeterna
In die illa, die tremenda
Quando movendi sunt coeli, terra:
Dum veneris in gloria stupenda!
Liberabit me! Liberabit me! Scio quod liberabit me!
Tremens non factus sum,
et non timeo dum
Jesus venerit cum
potentia; scio quod liberabit me!
Fac animas de morte transire
Ad vitam quam olim promisisti,
Et fac remissiones, Jesu pie,
Quam me in gratia absolvisti!
Liberabit me! Liberabit me! Scio quod liberabit me!
Tremens non factus sum,
et non timeo dum
Jesus venerit cum
potentia; scio quod liberabit me!
In tuo adventu suscipiamus
Atque in paradisum deducas,
Et chorus angelorum audiamus
Atque Jerusalem nos perducas!
Liberabit me! Liberabit me! Scio quod liberabit me!
Tremens non factus sum,
et non timeo dum
Jesus venerit cum
potentia; scio quod liberabit me!
Requiem aeternam dona nobis, Domine, et lux perpetua lucebit nobis.
O, lux perpetua luceat nobis!
He will set me free! He will set me free! I know that He will set me free!
I will not tremble, nor will I fear when Jesus comes in power;
I know that He will set me free!
Free me from eternal death
On that great day
While Heaven and Earth are moved
When you will come in stupendous glory!
He will set me free! He will set me free! I know that He will set me free!
I will not tremble, nor will I fear when Jesus comes in power;
I know that He will set me free!
Make souls go from death
To life as you once promised,
And grant remissions, blessed Jesus,
As You absolved me in grace!
He will set me free! He will set me free! I know that He will set me free!
I will not tremble, nor will I fear when Jesus comes in power;
I know that He will set me free!
Let us receive You in Your coming
As you lead us into paradise,
And let us hear the chorus of angels
As you lead us through Jerusalem!
He will set me free! He will set me free! I know that He will set me free!
I will not tremble, nor will I fear when Jesus comes in power;
I know that He will set me free!
Give us eternal rest, Lord, and eternal light will shine on us.
Oh, let eternal light shine on us!