Peter Hammill - Act 2. The Sleeper Lyrics

The lady sleeps. oh, may her sleep
Which is enduring so be deep!
Heaven hold her in its sacred keep!
This chamber changed for one more holy,
This bed for one of melancholy.
I pray to God that she may lie
Forever with unopened eye
While the dim, sheeted ghosts go by.

My love, she sleeps. Oh, may her sleep
As it is lasting so be deep!
Soft may the worms around her creep!
Far in the forest, dim and old,
Now may some tall vault enfold her;
Some vault that oft hath flung its black
And winged panels fluttering back
Triumphant o'er the crested palls
Of her grand family funerals...