Hammill Peter - The Lie (bernini's St Theresa) lyrics

Genuflection / erection in church.

Sacristy cloth / moth-eaten shroud.

Secret silence / sacred secrets

accumulate dust, aggravate the eye.

Incautious laughter after confession.

Benediction ------- fictional fear

Hidden faces ... Grace is a name,

like Chastity, like Lucifer, like mine.

You took me through the window-stain,

drowned in image, inscence, choir-refrain

and slow ecstasy ------

I'd embrace you if I only knew your name....

The silent corner haunts my shadow prayers :

ice-cold statue -- rapture divine,

unconscious eyes,

the open mouth,

the wound of love,

the Lie.

You took me, gave me reasons for

saints and missals, vigils, all the more

holy martyrs -----

I'd embrace you and walk through

the one-way door...

I'd embrace you, but it would be

just another lie ----------

( * which is to say that the statue is the inspiration, but not the Lie)