[Intro - cello, bass viol, one funeral bell] [Gregorian Male Choir Only - distant] Requiem aeternam dona ei. Et lux perpetua luceat ei. [MALE SOLO LEAD - close, soft] We gave the dark a father's face. We gave our dead a resting place. We named the storm. We named the sky. We made a hand to hold when we must die. [Low bass enters] We made thee watcher, judge and king, and taught the silent heavens to sing. When grief was deep and answers few, we filled the endless night with you. [Gregorian Choir Only] Requiem... [MALE SOLO LEAD] Thy story crossed a thousand years, borne by wonder, borne by fears. It soothed the grave. It forged the chain. It blessed the balm. It blessed the blade. [Drums enter slowly] We asked the earth and learned its ways. We read the stars without thy gaze. The thunder spoke without a throne. The world grew vast— and stood alone. [Instrumental rise - cello, bass, restrained guitar] [MALE SOLO LEAD - stronger] Yet knowing more did not make small the love, the grief, the awe of all. The dead are dear. The night is wide. We simply need no god beside. [Band builds] [MALE SOLO LEAD] No curse shall close thy final page. No scorn shall mark the passing age. For frightened hearts once needed thee to make the dark less dark to see. [Gregorian Choir rising behind lead] Requiem aeternam... [FINAL ROCK CLIMAX - full band, clear lead above choir] REST NOW, OLD STORY. THY WORK IS DONE. THE NIGHT REMAINS. SO DOES THE SUN. THE STARS STILL BURN. THE RIVERS RUN. AND WE SHALL WALK WITHOUT THE ONE WE MADE TO WATCH, TO JUDGE, TO SAVE— AND FEARED FROM CRADLE UNTO GRAVE. [Band pulls back sharply] [MALE SOLO LEAD - clear, intimate] We know now why thou wert made. We know why hearts once sought thy aid. We know why hands were raised in prayer. [Pause] But knowing why does not place thee there. [Long silence] [Cello returns] [MALE SOLO LEAD] So close the book. Let candles cease. Let ancient fear depart in peace. [Gregorian Male Choir Only - very distant] Requiem aeternam dona ei. [MALE SOLO LEAD - almost unaccompanied] Rest now, old story. We carry ourselves from here. [Funeral bell] [Gregorian Choir - barely audible] Requiescat in pace. [Silence]
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