WAR SCROLL — COLUMN V THE SEVEN RANKS [Heavy guitar riff, deep bass, pounding live drums, military snare rhythm] [Verse 1 — The Shield of the Leader] Upon the shield of the congregation's leader, His name shall be inscribed. Israel, Levi, and Aaron, The names shall stand beside. The twelve tribes of Israel, According to their birth, And twelve appointed tribal chiefs, Their names upon the shield. [Verse 2 — The Seven Ranks] The rule of war formations, When all the host is formed, A thousand men in battle order, Seven rows before the foe. Seven ranks in every formation, Each man behind another man, Their shields of bronze are polished, Like mirrors in their hands. [Verse 3 — The Shields of Bronze] The shields are bound with woven borders, Interlacing loops of skill, Gold and silver joined with bronze, The craftsman's work fulfilled. Precious stones and colored weaving, Ornaments of careful design, Two and one-half cubits in length, One and one-half cubits wide. [Chorus — Heavy guitars, marching snares and brass] SEVEN RANKS! SEVEN RANKS! A thousand men in line! SHIELDS OF BRONZE! LIKE MIRRORS SHINE! Gold and silver, bronze and stone, Each according to the plan! SEVEN RANKS! SEVEN RANKS! Every man behind his fellow man! [Verse 4 — The Seven-Cubit Spear] A spear and sword shall arm the warriors, The spear is seven cubits long. Its socket and its blade together, Half a cubit in their form. Three bands engraved upon the socket, Their borders woven in design, Gold and silver joined with copper, Around the bands their colors shine. Precious stones around the patterns, Worked upon both sides with care, Grooves between the bands like columns, Skillful workmanship declared. [Verse 5 — The Blade of Iron] The blade is shining, whitish iron, Fashioned by the craftsman's hand, An ear of grain of purest gold, Inlaid upon the sharpened blade. Narrowing toward the pointed ending, The measured spear is now described, Every ornament appointed, In the rule the scribes provide. [Chorus — Brass fanfare, powerful rock band] SEVEN RANKS! SEVEN RANKS! A thousand men in line! SHIELDS OF BRONZE! LIKE MIRRORS SHINE! THE SPEAR OF SEVEN CUBITS! THE BLADE OF SHINING IRON! Three engraved bands upon the socket, Gold and silver joined with bronze! [Verse 6 — The Swords] The swords are made of refined iron, Purified within the flame, Polished bright as mirrors, By the craftsman's careful hand. Golden ears of grain embossed, Upon both sides of every blade, Borders running toward the point, Two upon each side displayed. One and one-half cubits long, Four fingers is their width, The measurements are written, For the swords the men shall lift. [Verse 7 — Scabbards and Handles] Four thumbs wide the scabbard measures, Four handbreadths to its covering, Thongs of five handbreadths secure it, Bound upon each side. The handles made of chosen horn, Gold and silver in their design, Precious stones and many colors, Crafted with a skillful hand. [Bridge — Rolling snares, low guitars, military brass] When the warriors take their stations, Seven battle lines are formed, One behind the other standing, In the order of the war. Thirty cubits in the spacing, Where the infantry shall stand, Further words are lost in fragments, Only broken lines remain. [Final Chorus — Full modern rock band and military brass] SEVEN RANKS! SEVEN RANKS! A thousand men in line! SHIELDS OF BRONZE! LIKE MIRRORS SHINE! SEVEN CUBITS FOR THE SPEAR! THE SWORD OF REFINED IRON! GOLD AND SILVER, BRONZE AND STONE! THE HOST ARRAYED IN FORMATION! SEVEN RANKS! SEVEN RANKS! [Driving guitar and brass in unison, thunderous final drum cadence]
