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

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)