Confessional Hymn, After Gavin Bryars’ “Cadman Requiem” (Cornucopia of Heaven)

 

Confessional Hymn

After Gavin Bryars, “Cadman Requiem”

 

We were not there when stars were flung

           wide, wide,     across the vast expanse.

We were not there when hearts were knit,

            when breath was breathed inside.

We were not there when plans were made,

            when laws      in hearts were broken.

Yet we were there to feel death’s sting

            and feel          the plan’s undoing.

We were there when sparks flew up

            and fire scorned        the fickle ground,

when sound was lost and wings spun out

            and everything          was falling.

Ours were hearts un-tuned to sounds

            of life             and perfect leading.

Ours were rebel schemes which blew

            the hope         out of the sky.

Though stars may fail and hearts implode:

            still, still          Creator God, uphold.

        O kyrie  eleison,                Christ –

            have mercy    on us all.