Haydn 7 Last Words

Instrumental version

PDF of the english clementi choral version

At the request of his publisher, Artaria, the composer in 1787 produced a reduced version for string quartet: Haydn's Opus 51. This is the form in which the music is most often heard today: a group of seven works (Hoboken-Verzeichnis III/50–56), with the Introduction abutting Sonata I and Sonata VII joined by the Earthquake. The first violin part includes the Latin text directly under the notes, which "speak" the words musically.

1.”Father, forgive them; for they do not know

what they are doing.”  Lk. 23: 34

Pater, dimitte illis, quia nesciunt, quid faciunt.

2.   “Truly I tell you, today you will be with

me in Paradise.” Lk.23:43

Hodie mecum eris in Paradiso.

3.   “Woman, here is your son;

Here is your mother.” Jn. 19: 26-27

Mulier, ecce filius tuus.

4.  “My God, my God, why have you

forsaken me?” Mk. 15:34; Mt 27:46

Deus meus, Deus meus, utquid dereliquisti me?

‘Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?’

5.   “I am thirsty.”  Jn. 19:28

Sitio.

6. “It is finished.”   Jn 19:30

Consummatum est.

7.   ” Father, into your hands

I commend my spirit.” Lk 23: 46

In manus tuas, Domine, commendo  spiritum meum.