Day of wrath, O day of mourning!
See fulfilled the prophet’s warning:
Heav’n and earth in ashes burning.
O what fear man’s bosom rendeth
When from heav’n the Judge descendeth
On whose sentence all dependeth.
(2) Wondrous sound the trumpet flingeth,
Through earth’s sepulchers it ringeth,
All before the throne it bringeth.
Death is struck and nature quaking;
All creation is awaking,
To its Judge an answer making.
(3) Lo, the book, exactly worded,
Wherein all hath been recorded;
Thence shall judgment be awarded.
When the Judge His seat attaineth,
And each hidden deed arraigneth,
Nothinh unavenged remaineth.
(4) What shall I, frail man, be pleading,
Who for me be interceding
When the just are mercy needing?
King of Majesty tremendous,
Who dost free salvation send us,
Fount of pity, then befriend us!
(5) Think, good Jesus, my salvation
Caused Thy wond’rous Incarnation ;
Leave me not to reprobation!
Faint and weary Thou hast sought me,
On the Cross of suffering bought me
Shall such grace be vainly brought me?
(6) Righteous Judge, for sin’s pollution
Grant Thy gift of absolution,
Ere that day of retribution!
Guilty, now I pour my moaning,
All my shame with anguish owning;
Spare, O God, Thy suppliant groaning!
(7) Thou the sinful woman savedst
Thou the dying thief forgavest;
And to me a hope vouchsafest.
Worthless are my prayers and sighing,
Yet, good Lord, in grace complying,
Rescue me from fires undying!
(8) With Thy favor’d sheep, O place me !
Nor among the goats abase me ;
But to Thy right hand upraise me.
While the wicked are confounded,
Doom’d to flames of woe unbounded,
Call me, with Thy saints surrounded.
(9) Low I kneel, with heart-submission ;
See, like ashes, my contrition
Help me, in my last condition!
Ah ! that Day of tears and mourning!
From the dust of earth returning,
Man for judgment must prepare him; —
(10) Spare! O God, in mercy spare him!
Lord, Who didst our souls redeem,
Grant a blessed Requiem! Amen.