[Intro – low, spoken, cold and controlled] Aye. Ye want the house? Ye want the blood? Ye want the names I guard? Then come and try, ye bastard. But ye come through me first. [Verse 1 – restrained, marching, like a soldier reciting an oath] Bootheels on stone, eyes in the dark Countin’ each window, knowin’ each mark I’ve seen men scream where the dead still cling Seen black rain fall from a cursed god’s wing I learned the drill where the weak got slain Steel in the fist and salt in the vein Priests gave me prayer, war gave me scars Now I bless my blade by the burn of the stars [Pre-Chorus – rising, tense, like breath before the charge] Dinnae touch the door Dinnae test the flame I know all the old words I can bury yer name Ghost or man, curse or thief I’ll give ye the sermon o’ iron teeth [Chorus – huge, anthemic, shouted with backup gang vocals] Past me first! If ye want my family, ye come through me first! I am the watchfire, I am the worst Say a prayer quick, ‘cause I know what hurts Past me first! I’ve got salt on my hands and a rite in reverse Ye can die once, I’ll make it cursed If ye want my family, ye come through me first! [Verse 2 – harsher, more aggressive, with clear exorcist imagery] Draw the ward-sign, ash on the skin Nail through the hex where the rot gets in Blessed thorn pressed where the blood runs hot I cast out devils by the names they forgot Aye, I ken fear, but I dinnae kneel Not to the dead and not to steel I’ve dragged things screamin’ out o’ the wall Made proud men beg when the cold lights fall [Pre-Chorus – faster, angrier, building harder] So ring yer bell And spit yer spite Bring all yer damned things in the night I’ll break the sigil, split the seam Send ye howlin’ from the in-between [Chorus – bigger, with gang chant on the last line] Past me first! If ye want my family, ye come through me first! I am the watchfire, I am the worst Say a prayer quick, ‘cause I know what hurts Past me first! I’ve got salt on my hands and a rite in reverse Ye can die once, I’ll make it cursed If ye want my family— [gang shout] Ye come through me first! [Bridge – lower, grim, almost sacred, with slow pounding drums] Roseveil’s blood on the threshold line Silkshade’s laugh in the blackened shine Gilt Law’s grin like a blade in court And me? I’m the wall, I’m the last resort I buried comrades, aye, too many gone Still hear their boots when the night drags on So I made a vow where the candles burned: None o’ mine are taken. None returned. [Breakdown – savage, spat out, near-screamed] Come as a killer Come as a ghost Come wi’ a curse and I’ll flay it most Come for the altar Come for the vein I’ll drive ye shriekin’ back through pain Iron. Salt. Thorn. Flame. I’ll cast ye out and brand yer name Iron. Salt. Thorn. Flame. Try my family and I end the game [Final Chorus – highest intensity, full force, massive backing vocals] Past me first! If ye want my family, ye come through me first! I am the watchfire, I am the worst Heaven keep count, ‘cause I know what hurts Past me first! I’ve got blood in the oath and a rite in reverse Ye can die once, I’ll make it worse If ye want my family, ye come through me first! Past me first! Aye, I’m the vigil and death kens my face I’ll hold this line till the end o’ days No grave, no devil, no butcher, no curse If ye want my family, ye come through me first! [Outro – slow, dark, final warning] Still on watch. Still unbent. Still prayin’ wi’ a blade well-spent. Try that door, and learn my worth. Ye want my family? Come through me first.
