Who Murdered the Minutes lyrics

Who murdered the minutes,

The bright, golden minutes

The minutes of youth?

I, said the soldier, dressed in his red coat

I with my trumpet, my sword and my flag

I murdered the minutes

I took the minutes and what good I did,

For see how the black men kneel, he said

Who killed the hours

The gay purple hours

The hours of faith

I, said the Parson, in his black cloak

I with my book and my bell and my pen

I killed the hours

I killed the hours

As my holy right

and see how the people kneel at night

Who slew the years

the sweet precious years

The years of truth

I, said the lover, in her gay gown

I with my lips and my breast and my eyes

I slew the years

I slew the years

My silly talk

And see how you kneel to me in love'