[Intro] Ale up, lads, the benches shake, Old scars wake when the rafters creak. I sing the year the red rents came, And every hearth learned Dagon’s name. [Verse 1] The Emperor fell by a traitor’s knife, His lawful line was cut that night. Then split the earth with iron cries, Red mouths swung wide on county lines. [Verse 2] Kvatch was ash by morning meal, Old Holds broke under cloven heels. Black Marsh sent lizards through the breach, They drove the fiends beyond our reach. [Chorus] Close the Red Gates, bar them tight, Close the Red Gates, hold till light. From Bruma stone to marshland reeds, Close the Red Gates, hold the line. [Verse 3] No host came down from distant snow, Each town kept watch with what it owed. In chapel smoke stood Martin plain, A bastard son with a true king’s strain. [Build] A nameless blade cut sigils down, Ran fire roads from town to town. At Bruma’s field the Great Gate groaned, And all the realm stood on its own. [Chorus] Close the Red Gates, bar them tight, Close the Red Gates, hold till light. From Bruma stone to marshland reeds, Close the Red Gates, hold the line. [Bridge] Then came the hour no wine can smooth, When the Temple yard split clean in two. He broke the jewel no son should break, Took dragon shape for Tamriel’s sake. [Chorus] Close the Red Gates, sealed for good, Close the Red Gates, as Martin would. No crown remained, no Septim seed, Close the Red Gates, and keep his deed. [Outro] So raise your cup, but mind it well, Peace was bought where an empire fell. When hearthfire pops and tankards ring, Name Martin first, then praise the king.
