Benjamin Britten - War Requiem: i. Requiem Aeternam - Requiem aeternam lyrics

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 pa**ing 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