Song information On this page you can find the lyrics of the song Britten: War Requiem, Op. 66 / Requiem aeternam - 1a. Requiem aeternam, artist - London Symphony Chorus. Date of issue: 31.12.2013
Song language: English
Britten: War Requiem, Op. 66 / Requiem aeternam - 1a. Requiem aeternam |
| Chorus: |
| Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine; |
| et lux perpetua luceat eis. |
| Boys: |
| Te decet hymnus, Deus in Sion: |
| et tibi reddetur votum in Jerusalem; |
| exaudi orationem meam, |
| ad te omnis caro veniet. |
| Chorus: |
| Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine; |
| et lux perpetua luceat eis. |
| Tenor: |
| What passing bells for these who die as cattle? |
| Only the monstrous anger of the guns. |
| Only the stuttering rifles' rapid rattle |
| Can patter out their hasty orisons |
| No mockeries for them from prayers or bells, |
| Nor any voice of mourning save the choirs, -- |
| The shrill, demented choirs of wailing shells; |
| And bugles calling for them from sad shires. |
| What candles may be held to speed them at all? |
| Not in the hands of boys, but in their eyes |
| Shall shine the holy glimmers of good-byes. |
| The pallor of girls' brows shall be their pall; |
| Their flowers the tenderness of silent minds, |
| And each slow dusk a drawing-down of blinds. |
| Chorus: |
| Kyrie eleison |
| Christe eleison |
| Kyrie eleison |