A requiem was a religious liturgy for the dead, usually offered in a funeral setting for the peaceful passing of the deceased. This liturgy (a specific form of the Catholic mass) had a history of being chanted/sung, establishing a strong association with music (indeed, so much so, “requiem” can simply mean a “song for the dead” in colloquial usage). This association gave rise to the tradition of classical composers setting the text for choir and orchestra (e.g., Mozart, Brahms, Fauré, etc.). The Requiem liturgy is divided into a number of distinct sections. Below is the Latin text used by Fauré in his setting of the Requiem, accompanied by English translation.

We offer to Thee, O Lord, sacrifices and prayers: do Thou receive them in behalf of those souls of whom we make memorial this day. Grant them, O Lord, to pass from death to that life, Which Thou didst promise of old to Abraham and to his seed. | | 4. Sanctus | 4. Holy | | Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus Dominus Deus Sabaoth. Pleni sunt cæli et terra gloria tua. Hosanna in excelsis.  ** Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini. Hosanna in excelsis. | Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Hosts. Heaven and earth are full of Thy glory. Hosanna in the highest.   Blessed is He Who cometh in the Name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. | | 5. Pie Jesu | 5. Faithful Jesus | | Pie Iesu Domine, dona eis requiem. Dona eis requiem sempiternam. | Merciful Lord Jesus, grant them rest; grant them eternal rest. | | 6. Agnus Dei | 6. Lamb of God | | Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi: dona eis requiem. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi: dona eis requiem. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi: dona eis requiem sempiternam. | Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, grant them rest. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, grant them rest. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, grant them eternal rest. | | 7. Libera me | 7. Deliver me | | Libera me, Domine, de morte æterna, in die illa tremenda: Quando cæli movendi sunt et terra: Dum veneris iudicare sæculum per ignem. Tremens factus sum ego, et timeo, dum discussio venerit, atque ventura ira. Quando cæli movendi sunt et terra. Dies illa, dies iræ, calamitatis et miseriæ, dies magna et amara valde. Dum veneris iudicare sæculum per ignem. Requiem æternam dona eis, Domine: et lux perpetua luceat eis. | Deliver me, O Lord, from death eternal in that awful day. When the heavens and the earth shall be moved: When Thou shalt come to judge the world by fire. Dread and trembling have laid hold on me, and I fear exceedingly because of the judgment and of the wrath to come. When the heavens and the earth shall be moved. O that day, that day of wrath, of sore distress and of all wretchedness, that great day and exceeding bitter. When Thou shalt come to judge the world by fire. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. | | 8. In Paradisum | 8. Into Paradise | | In paradisum deducant te Angeli: in tuo adventu suscipiant te Martyres, et perducant te in civitatem sanctam Ierusalem. Chorus Angelorum te suscipiat, et cum Lazaro quondam paupere æternam habeas requiem. | May the Angels lead thee into paradise: may the Martyrs receive thee at thy coming, and lead thee into the holy city of Jerusalem. May the choir of Angels receive thee, and mayest thou have eternal rest with Lazarus, who once was poor. |