Britten: Billy Budd, Op. 50 / Act 2: "We Committed His Body To The Deep"

We committed his body to the deep
The sea-fowling shadowed him with their wings
Their hushed cries were his requiem
But the ship pressed on under light airs
Towards the rose of dawn
And soon it was full day in its clearness and strength
For I could have saved him, I could have saved him
He knew it, even his shipmates knew it
Though earthly law silenced them!
Oh what have I done? Oh what, what have I done?
But He has saved me, and blessed me
And the love that passeth understanding has come to me
I was lost on the infinite sea
But I've sighted a salier's stone
The far shining sail, and I'm content
I've seen where she'll bound for
There's a land where she'll anchor forever
Where she'll anchor forever
I am an old man now
And my mind can go back in peace
To that faraway summer of seventeen hundred and ninety-seven
Long ago now, eons ago, centuries ago
When I, Edward Fairfax Veale, commanded the indomitable...