dirge

A dirge is a mournful song, chant, or poem that expresses grief, typically associated with funerals or memorial services. It may be vocal or instrumental and is usually slow and somber, often in a minor key or with a steady, grave rhythm. Beyond formal ceremonies, the term can describe any work that has the character of a lament.

The word derives from Old French dirge, from Latin dirige, meaning to direct or guide, reflecting its historical role in leading a funeral procession. In music, a dirge is a solemn piece that emphasizes weighty emotion; in liturgical contexts it may appear as a chant or hymn adapted for mourning, while secular dirges appear as standalone compositions or movements within larger works.

In literature, a dirge is often a short, elegiac poem mourning the dead, characterized by lament and sorrow. In classical music, composers have written instrumental dirges as funeral or memorial pieces, sometimes continuing as movements within broader works. The term is closely related to elegy and lament, but it is usually distinguished by its association with death, mourning, and ceremonial contexts.

In modern usage, dirge can describe any slow, somber song or piece used to express sorrow or remembrance, including film scores and contemporary performances. While the form and function vary across cultures, the core idea remains a deliberate, mournful tribute to somebody who has died.