Use this as a vehicle for worship today. It is the very definition of art.
The beauty of this short performance comes to us, like most great art, bittersweet–for it reveals both the masterpiece and fragility of humankind. The beauty of voice, musical composition, and the sorrow of a requiem needing to be sung at all.
It also evokes the hope of blessed rest and solace of the great Comforter.
In 1986, this Requiem earned Lloyd Webber a Grammy Award for Best Classical Contemporary Composition. It was composed in a style unlike any of his other works after the sudden death of his father.
Unlike a traditional requiem mass, Lloyd Webber combined the texts of the Pie Jesu and Agnus Dei.
Here is vocal prodigy, Jackie Evancho, performing it. (Scroll down to read the lyrics in both Latin and English)
“Pie Jesu” Latin Lyrics
Pie Jesu, pie Jesu, pie Jesu, pie Jesu
Qui tollis peccata mundi
Dona eis requiem, dona eis requiem
Pie Jesu, pie Jesu, pie Jesu, pie Jesu
Qui tollis peccata mundi
Dona eis requiem, dona eis requiem
Agnus Dei, Agnus Dei, Agnus Dei, Agnus Dei
Qui tollis peccata mundi
Dona eis requiem, dona eis requiem
Sempiternam
Sempiternam
Requiem
“Pie Jesu” English Lyrics
Merciful Jesus, merciful Jesus, merciful Jesus, merciful Jesus
Father, who takes away the sins of the world
Grant them rest, grant them rest
Merciful Jesus, merciful Jesus, merciful Jesus, merciful Jesus
Father, who takes away the sins of the world
Grant them rest, grant them rest
Lamb of God, Lamb of God, Lamb of God, Lamb of God
Father, who takes away the sins of the world
Grant them rest, grant them rest
everlasting
everlasting
Rest
If you enjoyed this, please share it.