The Street (full version) : Station XIII. Jesus is taken down from the Cross

Pilate gave permission.

Why not?

He had nothing against the Nazarene,

who was in any case, dead.

And Joseph of Arimathea knew how to ask such a favour.

Joseph was hauled out of the pit by his brethren.

Jesus is taken down from the cross by Joseph;

by Joseph, by bald-headed Peter,

by Nicodemus, who's stopped being worried about appearances,

Two men on ladders,

one with the pincers to pull out the nails.

Gently.

Not that gentleness matters to him now,

but not a bone shall be broken.

This is not the kind of work we're used to.

Let's get it done before it's too dark to see.

Gently now, before rigor mortis sets in.