Hymn of the Immortal Choir

Epic hybrid of cathedral pipe organ, full orchestra, and stacked male/female choir; verses start as a solemn hymn over sparse organ and low strings, then expand with brass swells and rolling timpani, Chorus explodes into operatic call-and-response between solo tenor and soprano, with gospel-style choir answering in harmonies, Bridge climbs into a massive, dissonant climax, then resolves on a single, haunting unison note that hangs in reverb, female vocals, gospel, orchestral, male vocals, opera

[Intro] Kneel in the glow White stone and gold Hands raised in rows Breath held Behold [Verse 1] We are the flame that does not fade Carved into bone The vows we made Shining in vestments bright as day Halo of ash around our name Children of dust Bring us your scars Lay down your fear Your beating hearts “Trust in the fire Be remade” Soft-spoken promise Sharp as a blade [Chorus] Sing Sing Symphonic Hymn Lift your voice and hand it in Every fear Every tear Pour it on the altar here We will rise beyond the end More than mortal More than men Give your soul Give your skin Be absorbed into the hymn [Verse 2] Down in the halls where echoes bend Bodies like candles Trimmed again Eyes full of stars they’ll never see Pinned to a diagram of “holy” He walks in silence White-robed storm Child of disaster Flesh of thorn Smile like a prophecy fulfilled Footsteps that bless And paths that kill [Chorus] Sing Sing Symphonic Hymn Lift your voice and hand it in Every doubt Every sin Wash it in the choir’s din We will rise beyond the end More than mortal More than men Give your soul Give your skin Be absorbed into the hymn [Bridge] (Oh—) Are we saved Or devoured? Hands that heal Hands that scour (Oh—) Are we saints Or devils crowned? Choirs above Laboratories underground Child of ruin Child of grace Every prayer A marked-out face Every “amen” A tethered spark Harvested light Behind the dark [Chorus] Sing Sing Symphonic Hymn Let the last of you grow thin Every breath Every grin Fold it all We’ll take it in We will rise beyond the end More than mortal More than men If you fall We still win You belong To the hymn

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