Pyre

(Verse 1) The dry wood crackles, scent of pine The final mark upon the line No metal clatter, no iron shield Only the spirits now revealed The smoke rises thick, a column of gray To show the Jaguar the path of the day. (Chorus - Sharp, rhythmic, chanting) Stomp the earth, wake the stone Guide them to the Serpent’s throne Cry to the clouds, let the Jaguar know Our strongest brothers have come to go Rise on the heat, rise on the flare The gods are waiting, the path is bare. (Verse 2) Your shadow fades, the pyre glows Where the wind ends and the power grows We beat the skin of the hollow tree To set your heavy spirits free No more the hunt, no more the scar Only the light of the morning star. (Bridge - A frantic, complex wall of wooden percussion and low, rhythmic chanting) Hear us, O Jaguar! (Beat! Beat!) Watch them ascend! Hear us, O Serpent! (Beat! Beat!) The journey will end! Through the smoke, through the flame They rise to the heights in the Jaguar's name! (Outro - The drumming turns slow and heavy, fading out with the low, haunting buzz of a single reed instrument.) The smoke has vanished. The sky takes the weight. The warriors are home. At the sacred gate. (Fade to silence)