The black gate closes under stone, Three chains drag back where bones are thrown. Ash settles on the lower stair, The dead wind moves through empty air. The living feet return above, The first pale light breaks through the dust. No spear is raised beside the road, No hound is pulled beneath the load. [Pre-Chorus, Twelve roads taken. Twelve doors closed. Twelve roads taken. Twelve doors closed. [Chorus, No chain at dawn! The iron ring is on the ground! No chain at dawn! No king commands the road ahead! The lion skin is wet with rain! The old blood dries beneath the grain! No chain at dawn! The empty road begins again! [Verse 2, The palace doors remain shut tight, No torch is raised against the night. A voice comes through the cedar wood, "Leave what you carry where you stood." The bronze clasp falls beside the gate, The king stays hidden from the weight. No hand is raised to take the prize, No wreath is placed before his eyes. [Pre-Chorus, Twelve roads taken. Twelve doors closed. Twelve roads taken. Twelve doors closed. [Chorus, No chain at dawn! The iron ring is on the ground! No chain at dawn! No king commands the road ahead! The lion skin is wet with rain! The old blood dries beneath the grain! No chain at dawn! The empty road begins again! [Bridge, The hands are scarred. The belt is gone. The bow is wrapped against the rain. The road runs east beyond the wall. No voice gives out a name to call. No crown... No home... No chain... No throne... The sun climbs over broken stone. One man walks out of sight alone. [Final Chorus, No chain at dawn! The iron ring is on the ground! No chain at dawn! No king commands the road ahead! The lion skin is wet with rain! The old blood dries beneath the grain! No chain at dawn! The empty road begins again! No chain at dawn! The empty road begins again! [Outro,ind the hill. The morning road is open still. The labor ends. [End]
