Litany of Burning Stars (Warhammer 40,000)

[Processional] [cathedral bell tolls, low choir “ah”] (Spoken) Congregation of steel, assemble [Verse 1] Ash on the dawn, banners like comets that never fall Engines of prayer hum low through the cindered squall Helms catch the starfire, vows in the visor glass Footsteps of thunder count beats as the moments pass [Pre-Chorus] We bear the marks of a thousand nameless skies Ink of the void in our unclosing eyes [Chorus] Glory to the light that burns and does not fade Glory to the hands that keep the darkness stayed Hallowed be the will that turns the world to flame By bolt and blade and hymn we sanctify the day [Verse 2] Scriptures of iron etched deep on our armored skin Every machine is a choir, every spark is a hymn Incense of promethium, censers of smoking rounds Altars of thunder where fallen worlds are crowned [Bridge] Raise up the relics, the banners, the scars Name every planet by the light of its scars If faith is a hammer we ring like a bell If hope is a fortress it will not fell [Sermon: Call and Response] (Leader) Hear me, warriors of dust and dawn (Choir) We hear, we rise, we carry on (Leader) What is the creed when the night takes breath (Choir) To stand, to sing, to banish death (Leader) What is the law when the void takes aim (Choir) To light the dark and hold the flame (Leader) What is the tithe that the faithful pay (Choir) Our fear, our doubt, our yesterday (Leader) What is the gift that the faithful keep (Choir) A sword that wakes, a watch that does not sleep [Final Chorus] Glory to the light that burns and does not fade Glory to the hands that keep the darkness stayed Hallowed be the will that turns the world to flame By bolt and blade and hymn we sanctify the day Glory to the stars that answer when we call Glory to the march that does not fall Sanctus of the iron, creed of fire and rain In armor and in echo we overcome the pain [Coda] [organ holds, distant drum cadence] (Spoken) Go forth, congregation of steel Carry the sun into the storm