Benjamin Britten "Agnus Dei" from the War Requiem

Wilfred Owen, the poet used in this work wrote, "My subject is War, and the pity of War. The Poetry is in the pity...All a poet can do is warn."

Tenor soloist: "One ever hangs where shelled roads part. In this war He too lost a limb, But his disciples hide apart; And now the Soldiers bear with Him."

Chorus: "Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona eis requiem."

Tenor soloist: "Near Golgotha strolls many a priest, And in their faces there is pride That they were flesh-marked by the Beast By whom the gentle Christ's denied."

Chorus: "Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona eis requiem."

Tenor soloist: "The scribes on all the people shove and bawl allegiance to the state,"

Chorus: "Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona eis requiem."

Tenor soloist: "But they who love the greater love Lay down their life, they do not hate."

Chorus:"Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, Dona eis requiem sempiternam."

Tenor soloist: "Dona nobis pacem."

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