Voices of the Gallo-Romans

ritual lament, free chant, ancient / historical vocal recitation (nenia)

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V5.5

This piece seeks to evoke the atmosphere of a Gallo-Roman funeral ceremony. It is inspired by a funerary inscription from Augusta Raurica, one of the most important Roman settlements in present-day Switzerland. 
The inscription reads:
“Marinio Cossi filio Attilianus ...”
Translated, it means:
“For Marinius, son of Cossus, Attilianus ...”

The name Cossus is of Celtic origin, indicating that the deceased was a local inhabitant buried according to Roman custom. Nothing certain is known about Attilianus; he may have been a relative, heir, or freedman of Marinius who commissioned the gravestone in his memory. The fragmented sandstone funerary plaque is dated to between AD 50 and 250.

For this lament, additional authentic formulas commonly found on Roman funerary inscriptions have been incorporated. They speak of remembrance, mortality, and the wish that the dead may rest in peace. The musical setting is inspired by descriptions of the Roman funerary lament (nenia) and combines them with Celtic-inspired elements. Unfortunately, despite explicit instructions to avoid percussion, the AI still introduced percussive elements into the piece.

The English translation follows after the Latin lyrics.

🪦🪦🪦🪦🪦🪦🪦🪦🪦🪦🪦🪦🪦🪦🪦🪦🪦🪦🪦🪦🪦🪦🪦🪦🪦🪦

Dis Manibus.
Sit tibi terra levis.
Memoriae aeternae.

Sit tibi terra levis.
Marinio Cossi filio.
Sit tibi terra levis.

Dis Manibus.
Memoriae aeternae.
Sit tibi terra levis.

Dis Manibus.
Sit tibi terra levis.
Memoriae aeternae.

Sit tibi terra levis.
Marinio Cossi filio.
Sit tibi terra levis.

Dis Manibus.
Memoriae aeternae.
Sit tibi terra levis.
_______________________________________________________________
ENGLISH

To the spirits of the dead.
May the earth lie lightly upon you.
To eternal memory.

May the earth lie lightly upon you.
To Marinius, son of Cossus.
May the earth lie lightly upon you.

To the spirits of the dead.
To eternal memory.
May the earth lie lightly upon you.

To the spirits of the dead.
May the earth lie lightly upon you.
To eternal memory.

May the earth lie lightly upon you.
To Marinius, son of Cossus.
May the earth lie lightly upon you.

To the spirits of the dead.
To eternal memory.
May the earth lie lightly upon you.

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Idea, Lyrics & concept: Hexgirl. Copyright © 2026 Hexgirl. All rights reserved. This piece seeks to evoke the atmosphere of a Gallo-Roman funeral ceremony. It is inspired by a funerary inscription from Augusta Raurica, one of the most important Roman settlements in present-day Switzerland. The inscription reads: “Marinio Cossi filio Attilianus ...” Translated, it means: “For Marinius, son of Cossus, Attilianus ...” The name Cossus is of Celtic origin, indicating that the deceased was a local inhabitant buried according to Roman custom. Nothing certain is known about Attilianus; he may have been a relative, heir, or freedman of Marinius who commissioned the gravestone in his memory. The fragmented sandstone funerary plaque is dated to between AD 50 and 250. For this lament, additional authentic formulas commonly found on Roman funerary inscriptions have been incorporated. They speak of remembrance, mortality, and the wish that the dead may rest in peace. The musical setting is inspired by descriptions of the Roman funerary lament (nenia) and combines them with Celtic-inspired elements. Unfortunately, despite explicit instructions to avoid percussion, the AI still introduced percussive elements into the piece. The English translation follows after the Latin lyrics. 🪦🪦🪦🪦🪦🪦🪦🪦🪦🪦🪦🪦🪦🪦🪦🪦🪦🪦🪦🪦🪦🪦🪦🪦🪦🪦 Dis Manibus. Sit tibi terra levis. Memoriae aeternae. Sit tibi terra levis. Marinio Cossi filio. Sit tibi terra levis. Dis Manibus. Memoriae aeternae. Sit tibi terra levis. Dis Manibus. Memoriae aeternae. Sit tibi terra levis. Dis Manibus. Sit tibi terra levis. Memoriae aeternae. Sit tibi terra levis. Marinio Cossi filio. Sit tibi terra levis. Dis Manibus. Memoriae aeternae. Sit tibi terra levis. _______________________________________________________________ ENGLISH To the spirits of the dead. May the earth lie lightly upon you. To eternal memory. May the earth lie lightly upon you. To Marinius, son of Cossus. May the earth lie lightly upon you. To the spirits of the dead. To eternal memory. May the earth lie lightly upon you. To the spirits of the dead. To eternal memory. May the earth lie lightly upon you. To the spirits of the dead. May the earth lie lightly upon you. To eternal memory. May the earth lie lightly upon you. To Marinius, son of Cossus. May the earth lie lightly upon you. To the spirits of the dead. To eternal memory. May the earth lie lightly upon you.

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