# What are the monks in Monty Python and the Quest for the Holy Grail saying?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-monks-in-monty-python-and-the-quest-for-the-holy-grail-saying/117843>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [July 8, 2002, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-monks-in-monty-python-and-the-quest-for-the-holy-grail-saying/117843 "2002-07-08T01:00:31Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Victory\_Candescence](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Victory\_Candescence](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Victory_Candescence)\
**Post date:** [July 8, 2002, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-monks-in-monty-python-and-the-quest-for-the-holy-grail-saying/117843/1 "2002-07-08T01:00:31Z")

</div>

They say some Latin stuff, and then they hit themselves on the head.

What are they saying in Latin? And what’s the English translation?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![donkeyoatey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47c2d/32.png) [@donkeyoatey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/donkeyoatey)\
**Post date:** [July 8, 2002, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-monks-in-monty-python-and-the-quest-for-the-holy-grail-saying/117843/2 "2002-07-08T01:17:14Z")

</div>

From [this site](http://www.pythonfan.com/FAQ/faq4.html) , **Recursion** :

> [@](#):
>
> The monks chant “Pie Iesu Domine. Dona eis Requiem.” It is Latin for “Merciful Lord Jesus. Grant them rest.” These are typical Catholic funeral mass phrases.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\
**Post date:** [July 8, 2002, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-monks-in-monty-python-and-the-quest-for-the-holy-grail-saying/117843/3 "2002-07-08T01:18:23Z")

</div>

> [@](#):
>
> Pie Iesu domine, dona eis requiem.  
> [bonk]  
> Pie Iesu domine,…  
> [bonk]
> 
> …dona eis requiem.  
> [bonk]  
> Pie Iesu domine,…  
> [bonk]  
> …dona eis requiem.

I was going to type the translation but I got distracted by a German porn site…

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Victory\_Candescence](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Victory\_Candescence](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Victory_Candescence)\
**Post date:** [July 8, 2002, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-monks-in-monty-python-and-the-quest-for-the-holy-grail-saying/117843/4 "2002-07-08T01:25:06Z")

</div>

Whoa, I posted just a matter of minutes ago, and I already have the answer. Thanks a lot!