Words: Thomas of Ce­la­no, 13th Cen­tu­ry (Di­es Ir­ae); trans­lat­ed from La­tin to Eng­lish by , 1805. This trans­la­tion forms the con­clud­ing stan­zas of the sixth can­to of “The Lay of the Last Min­strel,” ti­tled “A Hymn for the Dead.” For ano­ther ve­rsion, see Day of Wrath, O Day of Mourn­ing.

Music: St. Cross, , in Hymns An­cient and Mo­dern, 1861. Al­ter­nate tunes:

  • Abbotsford, Ca­thol­ische Geist­liche Ge­sänge (An­der­nach, Ger­ma­ny: 1608)
  • Adwell, , Car­mi­na Sac­ra (Bos­ton, Mass­a­chu­setts: J. H. Wil­kins & R. B. Car­ter, 1844)
  • Llef, , 1890
  • Preserve Us, Lord, med­ie­val mel­o­dy
  • Zephyr, (1816-1868)

That day of wrath, that dreadful day,
[or, The day of wrath…]
When Heav’n and earth shall pass away!
What pow’r shall be the sinner’s stay?
How shall he meet that dreadful day?

When, shriveling like a parchèd scroll,
The flaming heav’ns together roll;
When louder yet, and yet more dread;
Swells the high trump that wakes the dead.

O on that day, that wrathful day
When man to judgment wakes from clay,
Be Thou the trembling sinner’s stay,
Though Heav’n and earth shall pass away.