Every Alter Turns to Dust

[Intro – Spoken] I quit counting winters a long time ago. I've buried friends beneath oak trees... beneath stone crosses... beneath standing stones... beneath snow. Every generation gave eternity another name. I just kept walking. --- Verse 1 I've worn the dust of a thousand roads, where kings were crowned then fed the crows. Watched temple fires kiss the sky, heard children ask their elders why. Some carved runes in weathered pine, some poured out blood instead of wine. Some raised their hands, some bowed their knees... the wind remembered every plea. --- Pre-Chorus I heard Heaven... I heard Hel... I heard whispers born where the church bells fell. Valhalla... Paradise... Every soul was chasing the same sunrise. --- Chorus Call it Heaven... Call it Hel... Call it judgment no one lives to tell. Call it mercy... Call it flame... Every age just gave forever a different name. Saints and sinners... Crowns and thieves... Every heart still carried something to believe. I've walked through all their yesterdays... Still chasing tomorrow... By a different name. --- Verse 2 I've stood where battle banners bled, where ravens circled over dead. Longhouses shook with drinking songs, while monastery bells rolled on. I've watched empires turn to sand, holy books in weathered hands. Every promise sounded true to those who only saw one view. --- Bridge I've heard the preacher. I've heard the skald. I've heard the imam softly call. I've heard old chants no tongue recalls... yet silence answered after all. So I keep walking... Boots and bone... Never certain... Never alone. The road outlives the names we claim. It always has. It always will.