Grace Thompson
Pie Jesu is a Latin text from the hymn Dies Irae and is often included in musical settings of the Requiem Mass. The phrase Pie Jesu means pious Jesus or merciful Jesus in Latin. Requiem Masses are Catholic funeral Masses, and Pie Jesu is often set to music as part of a requiem. The most famous version of Pie Jesu is from the Requiem by French composer Gabriel Fauré, which has been described as breathtaking in its beauty and unadorned eloquence.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meaning | "Pious Jesus" or "Merciful Jesus" |
| Origin | Taken from the Latin poem "Dies Irae" about Judgment Day |
| Composers | Gabriel Fauré, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Marc-Antoine Charpentier, Luigi Cherubini, Antonin Dvořák, Maurice Duruflé, John Rutter, Karl Jenkins, Kim André Arnesen, Fredrik Sixten, Camille Saint-Saëns, Charlotte Church, Anna Netrebko, Paul Miles-Kingston |
| Genre | Catholic Mass set to music, funeral Mass, symphony |
| Context | Spiritual obligation to pray for those who have passed away |
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What You'll Learn
'Pie Jesu' is a Latin hymn
"Pie Jesu" is a Latin hymn that translates to "Pious Jesus" or "Merciful Jesus". It is a text from the Lacrimosa, a hymn in the sequence "Dies Irae", where it is the final couplet. The couplet is often included in musical settings of the Requiem Mass as a motet. The Requiem Mass is a Catholic Mass set to music, and more specifically, it is a funeral Mass.
"Pie Jesu" is a beautiful, eloquent highlight of many classical Requiems. It is said that the best-known "Pie Jesu" is from Gabriel Fauré's Requiem. Camille Saint-Saëns, who died in 1921, said of Fauré's "Pie Jesu": "Just as Mozart's is the only 'Ave verum corpus', this is the only 'Pie Jesu'". Andrew Lloyd Webber's setting of "Pie Jesu" in his Requiem (1985) has also become well-known and has been widely recorded, including by Sarah Brightman, Charlotte Church, and Jackie Evancho.
Fauré’s "Pie Jesu" is one element of the longer composition called "Requiem", often considered his greatest composition. It is thought that Fauré composed this piece in honour of his father a few years after the latter's death, but the composer never revealed his motive. This "Requiem" was, fittingly, performed at Fauré’s own funeral in 1924. Fauré’s "Requiem" has seven sections, of which "Pie Jesu" is the most beautiful.
"Pie Jesu" is a favourite devotion, reminding Catholics of Christ’s great love for humanity and God's tender mercy toward all His children. This belief even extends beyond the grave, and Catholics take seriously their spiritual obligation to pray for those who have passed on.
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It is a text from the hymn 'Lacrimosa'
"Pie Jesu" is a text from the hymn "Lacrimosa". It is the final couplet, or pair of lines, from the hymn "Dies Irae", which is a description of the Last Judgment. "Pie Jesu" is often included in musical settings of the Requiem Mass as a motet and means "pious Jesus" or "merciful Jesus" in Latin. The phrase is vocative, with "pie" meaning "pious" or "dutiful to one's parent or God" and "Jesu" being the vocative of "Jesus/Iesus".
The text of "Pie Jesu" is as follows:
> Pie Jesu Domine, Dona eis requiem. (sung twice)
> Pie Jesu Domine, Dona eis requiem sempiternam.
In English, this becomes:
> Pious Jesus (or Merciful Jesus), Grant them rest. (sung twice)
> Pious Jesus (or Merciful Jesus), Grant them everlasting rest.
"Pie Jesu" has been set to music by many composers, including Gabriel Fauré, John Rutter, Karl Jenkins, and Andrew Lloyd Webber, who combined the text with the "Agnus Dei" from the Tridentine Requiem Mass. Fauré's setting of "Pie Jesu" in his Requiem is considered one of the most famous and beautiful renditions. Camille Saint-Saëns, a friend of Fauré, compared it to Mozart's "Ave verum corpus", saying that just as Mozart's is the only "Ave verum corpus", Fauré's is the only "Pie Jesu".
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It is a part of the Requiem Mass
"Pie Jesu" is a text from the Lacrimosa, a hymn in the sequence "Dies Irae" where it is the final couplet. The couplet is often included in musical settings of the Requiem Mass as a motet. The phrase means "pious Jesus" or "merciful Jesus" in Latin. The Requiem Mass is a Catholic Mass set to music, specifically a funeral Mass. It is a distinct musical genre and a Christian liturgical art form that emerged during the Renaissance. It is meant to provide solace to mourners, although full requiems are rarely played at funerals as they tend to be too long.
"Pie Jesu" is often included in musical settings of the Requiem Mass by various composers. For example, the settings of the Requiem Mass by Marc-Antoine Charpentier, Luigi Cherubini, Antonin Dvořák, Gabriel Fauré, Maurice Duruflé, John Rutter, Karl Jenkins, Kim André Arnesen, and Fredrik Sixten include a "Pie Jesu" as an independent movement. The "Pie Jesu" from Fauré's Requiem is considered to be the best-known version. Camille Saint-Saëns, who died in 1921, said of it: "Just as Mozart's is the only 'Ave verum corpus', this is the only 'Pie Jesu'". Andrew Lloyd Webber's setting of "Pie Jesu" in his Requiem (1985) has also become well known and has been widely recorded.
Fauré’s "Pie Jesu" is an interesting composition because it replaces the "Dies Irae" (Day of Wrath) movement of traditional requiems with "Pie Jesu", emphasizing the mercy rather than judgment of God. It is considered to be one of the most beautiful sections of the Requiem. It is said to remind listeners of Christ’s great love for humanity and is thought to have been composed in honour of Fauré's father a few years after his death.
"Pie Jesu" is also the last verse of the Sequence, "Dies Irae". In the 19th century, it became a votive solo aria or motet following the consecration at Requiem Masses, and was usually the only part of the Sequence set polyphonically.
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'Pie Jesu' means 'pious Jesus' in Latin
"Pie Jesu" is a Latin phrase that means "pious Jesus." It is a text from the Lacrimosa, a hymn in the sequence "Dies Irae," where it is the final or nineteenth couplet. The couplet is often included in musical settings of the Requiem Mass as a motet. The Requiem Mass is a Catholic funeral Mass set to music.
The "Pie Jesu" text is often set to music as part of the Requiem Mass, a service offered for the repose of those who have passed on. The phrase "Pie Jesu" means "pious Jesus" or "merciful Jesus" in Latin, and it is a prayer for mercy and rest. The full text of the "Pie Jesu" is:
> Pie Jesu Domine, Dona eis requiem. (sung twice) Pie Jesu Domine, Dona eis requiem sempiternam.
The English translation of the "Pie Jesu" is:
> Pious Jesus (or Merciful Jesus), Grant them rest.
The "Pie Jesu" has been set to music by many composers, including Gabriel Fauré, John Rutter, Karl Jenkins, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and others. The most famous setting of the "Pie Jesu" is arguably the one from the Requiem by French composer Gabriel Fauré, which is known for its beauty and eloquence.
Andrew Lloyd Webber's setting of "Pie Jesu" in his Requiem (1985) has also become well-known and has been widely recorded, including by Sarah Brightman, Charlotte Church, and Anna Netrebko. Webber's piece combines the texts of "`Pie Jesu` and `Agnus Dei'," a departure from his usual style that earned him a Grammy Award for Best Classical Contemporary Composition in 1986.
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It is a popular wedding song
"Pie Jesu" is a popular wedding song, with its beautiful Latin lyrics and elegant melody. The phrase "Pie Jesu" translates to "Pious Jesus" or "Merciful Jesus", and it is a prayer for rest and solace. The song has a long history in Catholic tradition, often included in funeral masses and requiems, but its message of divine mercy and comfort has also resonated with couples on their wedding day.
The song's origin can be traced to the Latin poem "Dies Irae", where it forms the final couplet, a poignant and emotional conclusion to the poem's description of the Last Judgment. "Pie Jesu" has been set to music by many composers over the centuries, with the version by French composer Gabriel Fauré being particularly renowned for its beauty and eloquence. It is said that Fauré's "Pie Jesu" emphasises the mercy of God rather than judgment, and this interpretation has made it a beloved choice for weddings.
The popularity of "Pie Jesu" as a wedding song can also be attributed to its appearance in popular culture. Andrew Lloyd Webber's version, a part of his Requiem, has been widely recorded and performed, including by notable artists such as Sarah Brightman and Charlotte Church. Webber's interpretation combines the texts of "Pie Jesu" and "Agnus Dei", creating a unique and memorable rendition that has captured the hearts of many couples.
While some traditionalists may find the use of a funeral mass song at a wedding unconventional or even inappropriate, "Pie Jesu" has nonetheless become a well-loved choice for wedding ceremonies. The song's powerful message of mercy and comfort, combined with its stunning musical arrangements, has made it a popular selection for couples seeking a meaningful and elegant addition to their wedding day.
"Pie Jesu" serves as a reminder of the tender mercy of Christ and the comfort He offers to all who labour and are burdened. Its inclusion in wedding celebrations reflects the desire for divine blessing and solace as two lives are joined together in matrimony. The song's enduring popularity as a wedding choice demonstrates its ability to transcend its original context and resonate with people in diverse and meaningful ways.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Pie Jesu is a Catholic song. It is a text from the Lacrimosa, a hymn in the sequence "Dies Irae", where it is the final couplet. It is often included in musical settings of the Requiem Mass, which is a Catholic funeral mass.
Pie Jesu means "pious Jesus" or "merciful Jesus" in Latin.
The lyrics to Pie Jesu are: Pie Jesu Domine, Dona eis requiem. (sung twice) Pie Jesu Domine, Dona eis requiem sempiternam.
The most famous version of Pie Jesu was composed by Gabriel Fauré. It is part of his Requiem, often considered his greatest composition.
