No Empty Place Beside Us — Ember of Midgard — Nordic Folk Rock

Lyrics [Immediate Opening / Chorus] No empty place beside us! No brother left behind! When every voice would split us, We stand as one in line! Shoulder against the cold wind, Hand locked into hand, No empty place beside us — Together we will stand! [Verse 1] They whisper through the longhouse, They sharpen word on word, Turning kin against the kinfolk, Until no truth is heard. One points across the table, One closes up his door, But walls built out of anger Leave everyone more poor. So bring another bench in, Pour another cup, When someone falls beneath the weight, The rest will lift him up. [Pre-Chorus] A hall survives the winter When every beam holds fast. A people stand much stronger When none are pushed aside. [Chorus] No empty place beside us! No brother left behind! When every voice would split us, We stand as one in line! Shoulder against the cold wind, Hand locked into hand, No empty place beside us — Together we will stand! [Verse 2] The watchman on the hillside Cannot guard the gate alone. The oarsman in the rough sea Needs every arm brought home. The smith may shape the iron, The farmer feeds the hall, The healer binds the wounded — We need the hands of all. No crown can make us stronger, No banner makes us whole. It is the choice to carry Another weary soul. [Pre-Chorus] Let others trade in hatred, Let others draw their lines. We build a longer table And leave those walls behind. [Chorus] No empty place beside us! No brother left behind! When every voice would split us, We stand as one in line! Shoulder against the cold wind, Hand locked into hand, No empty place beside us — Together we will stand! [Instrumental Folk Break] [Tagelharpa pulse, nyckelharpa melody, deep drums, horns and melodic guitar. Male choir chants rhythmically.] Hey! — Hold the line! Hey! — Share the load! Hey! — Bring them in! No one stands alone! [Bridge] When the roof begins to tremble, Do we argue whose beam fell? Or put our backs together And rebuild what we know well? When the youngest lose their courage, When the oldest cannot fight, Then strength means standing near them Until morning breaks the night. Not the loudest. Not the proudest. Not the man who stands apart. The strongest hall in Midgard Is the one with room for all. [Final Chorus] NO EMPTY PLACE BESIDE US! NO BROTHER LEFT BEHIND! When every voice would split us, We stand as one in line! Shoulder against the cold wind, Hand locked into hand, No empty place beside us — Together we will stand! No empty place beside us! Let every voice be heard! A thousand hands together Are stronger than one sword! No empty place beside us — Across the sea and land! Whatever comes tomorrow, TOGETHER WE WILL STAND! [Outro] [Heavy drums continue beneath tagelharpa and male choir.] Together! Together! No one stands alone! Together! Together! We carry our own home!