Amherst Requiem (Introit)

  1. Introit

Soprano:

What Inn is this
Where for the night
Peculiar Traveler comes?
Who is the Landlord?
Where are the maids?
Behold, what curious rooms!
No ruddy fires on the hearth –
No brimming tankards flow – 
Necromancer! Landlord!
Who are these below? (115)
 
Chorus:

Requiem aeternam dona eis, domine:                  Rest eternal grant to them, O Lord
et lux perpetua luceat eis.                                       and let perpetual light shine on them.
 
  Soprano:

Safe in their alabaster Chambers –
Untouched by Morning 
And untouched by Noon –
Sleep the meek members of the Resurrection –
Rafter of satin, 
And roof of stone.
 
Chorus:

Requiem aeternam dona eis, domine:                  Rest eternal grant to them, O Lord
et lux perpetua luceat eis.                                       and let perpetual light shine on them.

Te decet hymnus Deus in Zion,                               A hymn befits thee, O God in Zion,
et tibi redetur                                                       And to thee a vow shall be fulfilled
votum in Jerusalem.                                              in Jerusalem.
Exaudi orationem meam,                                       Hear my prayer,
ad te omnis caro veniet.                                         for unto thee all flesh shall come.
 
Soprano:

Grand go the Years – in the Crescent – above them –
Worlds scoop their Arcs – 
And Firmaments – row –
Diadems – drop – and Doges – surrender –
Soundless as dots – on a Disk of Snow – (216)
 
Chorus:

Requiem aeternam dona eis, domine:    Rest eternal grant to them, O Lord
et lux perpetua luceat eis.                                and let perpetual light shine on them.
 

Here is a link to a recording. Here is a link to the next movement, Offertory.

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