[Verse 1]
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

[Verse 2]
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

[Verse 3]
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 breasts and my eyes
I slew the years
I slew the years, my silly talk
And see how you kneel to me in love