This Antiphon is from the Catholic Requiem Massat the time when the body is carried out of the Church.The English translation is:May the angels lead thee into paradise: may the martyrsreceive thee at thy coming, and lead thee intothe holy city of Jerusalem.May the choir of angels receive thee, andmayest thou have eternal rest with Lazarus,who once was poor.(From the Saint Andrew Daily Missal, Bruges, 1957)This In Paradisum was first sung at the funeral of my twin brother, Peter.I began writing the music, the day Peter died. The Geelong, St Mary's Choirsang this work at Peter's funeral, some days later.For this composer, the 'angels' are all those who assist the dying person and their familiesat these times of sorrow, anguish and loss.