Peccator Sum (I Am a Sinner)

[Intro – Distant church bells, mournful lute, lone monk chant] Miserere mei, Deus… Secundum magnam misericordiam tuam… (Psalm 51:1) [Verse 1 – Slow, brooding doom riff, clean melancholic vocals] I rode beneath the Cross, yet my hands are stained red, Swore the oath of heaven while my heart was long dead. The road to Jerusalem became the road to hell, Every mile I marched dragged me deeper where I fell. [Verse 2 – Heavier, rising anguish] I broke the vows I sang, I spat upon the meek, Turned the pilgrim’s staff into a murderer’s streak. Now the desert wind howls my forgotten name, And the stars accuse me through banners of shame. [Pre-Chorus – Choir enters softly] Kyrie eleison… Christe eleison… [Chorus – Soaring, desperate melody over crushing guitars] Peccator sum! Peccator sum! Lost in the night of my soul! Peccator sum! Peccator sum! Only Thy blood can make me whole! Deus… miserere… Peccator sum… [Verse 3 – Acoustic recorder + low growl underneath] On my knees in the dust where the lepers once lay, I see the nails, the thorns, the price I threw away. My armor is rusted, my banner in rags, Yet somewhere beneath all this darkness, a beggar’s hope still drags. [Bridge – Band drops out; solemn male choir + pipe organ, reverent and unhurried] Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen. [Final Chorus – Explosive return, guitars soar, choir thunders] Peccator sum! Peccator sum! But mercy has spoken my name! Peccator sum! Redemptus sum! Washed in the blood of the Lamb! Miserere… Domine… Redemptus sum! Redemptus sum! [Outro – Gregorian chant rises gently over fading clean guitar] Lavabis me… et super nivem dealbabor… (Psalm 51:7 – “Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow”) Amen… Amen…