Who Murdered the Minutes
Who murdered the minutes,The bright, golden minutesThe minutes of youth?I, said the soldier, dressed in his red coatI with my trumpet, my sword and my flagI murdered the minutesI took the minutes and what good I did,For see how the black men kneel, he said
Who killed the hoursThe gay purple hoursThe hours of faithI, said the Parson, in his black cloakI with my book and my bell and my penI killed the hoursI killed the hoursAs my holy rightand see how the people kneel at night
Who slew the yearsthe sweet precious yearsThe years of truthI, said the lover, in her gay gownI with my lips and my breast and my eyesI slew the yearsI slew the yearsMy silly talkAnd see how you kneel to me in love'