Witch [SSC7, Russia]

slow tempo, no upbeat vocals, strictly melancholic, heavy metal, symphonic metal, minor, girl vocal, loud drums, gothic metal, drama

V4.5

I decided it had to be a choir—an emotional one, like the cries of a crowd branding someone a witch just because someone pointed at her. The verses took many regenerations; the vocals weren’t emotional enough or didn’t hit the right moments.

Despite the title, the song is about a skilled herbalist-healer who knows her craft well. But when you’re better at something, there are always those who envy you darkly. These envious folks report her to the authorities, accusing her of dark magic. Teaming up with the Inquisition, who don’t want competition in miracles, they falsely accuse her and sentence her to death.

But the song isn’t just about her. It’s about “witch hunts” as a phenomenon, still widespread today. When people can’t compete, fear, or envy you, they turn to slander and destruction. This hits close to home—my country went through this in Soviet times, and we’re seeing a new wave of “witch hunts” now. It’s quite personal.

This song is my voice against injustice. I hope it resonates with you too.

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[Intro]

[Verse]

A candle burns in the chill of the room,
Its flicker weaves through the gathering gloom.
Your mind holds secrets of ancient skills,
Whispered words from forgotten wills.

You blend your herbs with a steady hand,
Your boundless wisdom causes fear in this land.
Your charm can soothe or ignite flames of hearts,
But rumor has it you are the devil's child.

[Chorus]

THEY CALL YOU A WITCH, THEY CALL YOU A WITCH!
Your grace outshines cold beauty of moon.
THEY CALL YOU A WITCH, THEY CALL YOU A WITCH!
Beware of those who envy your boons.
THEY CALL YOU A WITCH, THEY CALL YOU A WITCH!
Your steps are shrouded in twilight's velvet.
THEY CALL YOU A WITCH, THEY CALL YOU A WITCH!
Someday they will see your gift as a threat.

[Verse]

Like a black cat midnight creeps through the forest.
Your modest cloak glints in the moon's silver glow.
Here in the woods, in mysterious fog
Roots of wild herbs hide in the gloomy bogs...

But the stench of torches pollutes night air.
A ring of grim shadows has tightened their snare.
There's no escape from their murderous stares,
From those who hide their crimes under prayer.

[Chorus]

[Guitar solo]

[Verse]

In chains, you faced their venomous lies,
False priests accused you with hatred in eyes.
But laughing at their falsified verdict,
You spat your blood at the holy addict.

You met your sad fate when sun started to rise.
They showed their power with your cruel demise.
Their piercing cries excited the crowd
And many believed them without a single doubt.

[Break]

[Chorus]

THEY CALLED YOU A WITCH, THEY CALLED YOU A WITCH!
Your grace outshone cold beauty of moon.
THEY CALLED YOU A WITCH, THEY CALLED YOU A WITCH!
Their envy and fear decided your doom.
THEY CALLED YOU A WITCH, THEY CALLED YOU A WITCH!
They gave your body to merciless flame.
THEY CALLED YOU A WITCH, THEY CALLED YOU A WITCH!
But people will still remember your name.

[Outro]

3676/7500

“Witch” is my first experiment in gothic metal. I loved the result and have written more songs in this style since, with no plans to stop. The original lyrics were written in Russian ten years ago but didn’t carry the meaning I gave them when I rewrote them. The chorus, though, kept those memorable lines. I decided it had to be a choir—an emotional one, like the cries of a crowd branding someone a witch just because someone pointed at her. The verses took many regenerations; the vocals weren’t emotional enough or didn’t hit the right moments. Despite the title, the song is about a skilled herbalist-healer who knows her craft well. But when you’re better at something, there are always those who envy you darkly. These envious folks report her to the authorities, accusing her of dark magic. Teaming up with the Inquisition, who don’t want competition in miracles, they falsely accuse her and sentence her to death. But the song isn’t just about her. It’s about “witch hunts” as a phenomenon, still widespread today. When people can’t compete, fear, or envy you, they turn to slander and destruction. This hits close to home—my country went through this in Soviet times, and we’re seeing a new wave of “witch hunts” now. It’s quite personal. This song is my voice against injustice. I hope it resonates with you too. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ [Intro] [Verse] A candle burns in the chill of the room, Its flicker weaves through the gathering gloom. Your mind holds secrets of ancient skills, Whispered words from forgotten wills. You blend your herbs with a steady hand, Your boundless wisdom causes fear in this land. Your charm can soothe or ignite flames of hearts, But rumor has it you are the devil's child. [Chorus] THEY CALL YOU A WITCH, THEY CALL YOU A WITCH! Your grace outshines cold beauty of moon. THEY CALL YOU A WITCH, THEY CALL YOU A WITCH! Beware of those who envy your boons. THEY CALL YOU A WITCH, THEY CALL YOU A WITCH! Your steps are shrouded in twilight's velvet. THEY CALL YOU A WITCH, THEY CALL YOU A WITCH! Someday they will see your gift as a threat. [Verse] Like a black cat midnight creeps through the forest. Your modest cloak glints in the moon's silver glow. Here in the woods, in mysterious fog Roots of wild herbs hide in the gloomy bogs... But the stench of torches pollutes night air. A ring of grim shadows has tightened their snare. There's no escape from their murderous stares, From those who hide their crimes under prayer. [Chorus] THEY CALL YOU A WITCH, THEY CALL YOU A WITCH! Your grace outshines cold beauty of moon. THEY CALL YOU A WITCH, THEY CALL YOU A WITCH! Beware of those who envy your boons. THEY CALL YOU A WITCH, THEY CALL YOU A WITCH! Your steps are shrouded in twilight's velvet. THEY CALL YOU A WITCH, THEY CALL YOU A WITCH! Someday they will see your gift as a threat. [Guitar solo] [Verse] In chains, you faced their venomous lies, False priests accused you with hatred in eyes. But laughing at their falsified verdict, You spat your blood at the holy addict. You met your sad fate when sun started to rise. They showed their power with your cruel demise. Their piercing cries excited the crowd And many believed them without a single doubt. [Break] [Chorus] THEY CALLED YOU A WITCH, THEY CALLED YOU A WITCH! Your grace outshone cold beauty of moon. THEY CALLED YOU A WITCH, THEY CALLED YOU A WITCH! Their envy and fear decided your doom. THEY CALLED YOU A WITCH, THEY CALLED YOU A WITCH! They gave your body to merciless flame. THEY CALLED YOU A WITCH, THEY CALLED YOU A WITCH! But people will still remember your name. [Outro]

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