[Verse 1] Three chests in a candlelit room Gold glows Silver shines Lead waits "Who chooseth me must give and hazard all" You smile like you believe in fate Ships chasing distant horizons Paper promises Wine-stained ink You call it love You call it business Both of them closer to the brink [Chorus] It’s a bond of flesh and gold Every favor Bought and sold Say it’s mercy Say it’s love But you’re praying to the coin above Cut me open Read the fine print Hear the laughter in the courtroom cold Hearts on trial Under oath For a bond made of flesh and gold [Instrumental break] [Verse 2] He stands in the doorway Stubborn Hatred heavy under his breath You laugh with your bright young lovers He counts interest Measures death Crowds cheer for clever mercy Never see the trembling hands They walk out arm in arm Victorious He walks out alone Empty plans [Chorus] It’s a bond of flesh and gold Every favor Bought and sold Say it’s mercy Say it’s love But you’re praying to the coin above Cut me open Read the fine print Hear the laughter in the courtroom cold Hearts on trial Under oath For a bond made of flesh and gold [Bridge] Tell me Who was saved that morning? (who?) Who was broken clean in two? You kept your pound You kept your pride But the wound still lives in you Rings returned Ships in harbor Happy endings So we’re told Yet somewhere a man is counting Every lost Unspoken gold [Chorus] It’s a bond of flesh and gold Every favor Bought and sold Call it justice Call it grace Still there’s blood on every face Cut me open Read the fine print Hear the laughter in the courtroom cold Love on trial Under oath For a bond made of flesh and gold
