Ash lies thick upon the stair, A dead man's coin is black with wear. The river turns beneath the stone, No torch can warm the hollow bone. Three chains drag across the floor, Three mouths breathe behind the door. The black gate opens without sound, The living foot goes underground. [Pre-Chorus, No blade below. No spear in hand. Take what you touch. Return what stands. Take what you touch. Return what stands. [Chorus, The Hound Below! Three chains of saliva strike the stone! The Hound Below! Three throats are growling in the bone! Bare hands close around the mane! Black fur is wet with ash and rain! The gate of death gives way to light! The living climb into the night! [Verse 2, The first head bites against the wrist, The second pulls through smoke and mist. The third head tears the leather strap, The claws break stone beneath the trap. No bronze is raised above the dark, No poisoned shaft leaves any mark. The hands hold tight beneath the jaw, The hound falls still beneath the law. [Pre-Chorus, No blade below. No spear in hand. Take what you touch. Return what stands. Take what you touch. Return what stands. [Chorus, The Hound Below! Three chains of saliva strike the stone! The Hound Below! Three throats are growling in the bone! Bare hands close around the mane! Black fur is wet with ash and rain! The gate of death gives way to light! The living climb into the night! [Bridge, First breath breaks above the ground. The sun strikes fur without a sound. The three heads turn against the day, The king steps back and looks away. The light is not a place to stay. The living hand must lead away. The ash remembers every tread. Return the hound. Return the dead. The rope goes down beneath the stone. Three chains return where bones are thrown. [Final Chorus, The Hound Below! Three chains of saliva strike the stone! The Hound Below! Three throats are growling in the bone! Bare hands close around the mane! Black fur is wet with ash and rain! The gate of death gives way to light! The living climb into the night! The living climb into the night! [Outro, Ash on the stair. The gate is closed. No weapon crossed the road below. Twelfth labor falls. [End]
