The libretto of the cantata was written by
D. B. Wyndham-Lewis. This appears to be his only actual contribution to the screenplay, although he is credited as co-author.
Soloist: There came a whispered terror on the breeze. And the dark forest shook
Chorus: And on the trembling trees came nameless fear. And panic overtook each flying creature of the wild :Original:
...flying creature of the wind And when they all had fled
Soloist: All save the child — all save the child. Around whose head screaming, The night-birds wheeled and shot away.
Chorus: Finding release from that which drove them onward like their prey. Finding release the storm-clouds broke. And drowned the dying moon. The storm-clouds broke — the storm clouds broke. Finding release!
Addition for the 1956 remake Yet stood the trees — yet stood the trees Around whose heads screaming The singers perform in an alternation between male and female: Finding release; Finding release from that which drove them onward like their prey. This last part is part of the
poco crescendo played by the
timpani to culminate in the
Maestoso in the finale which ends with the
cymbal crash in which the assassin shoots. ==Publication==