[Verse 1] The hour’s gone thin, the courtyards sleep I feed the bellows, I tend the heat Red ore sweating in a blackened seam I sort the sparks like a private dream The anvils hum when my hands come near I mark each blade with a steady cheer For the Harpie Queen and the high decree I shape the steel for what must be [Pre-Chorus] Line by line, I lay it true Hilt and helm in a measured blue If the empire calls, I answer loud From the smoke, from the iron cloud [Chorus] I make the blade, I make the shield I make the march and the broken field Crimson Justice in every seam Bahamutia, I serve the dream I make it strong, I make it shine For the lawful fire and the royal line Raise it high, let the banners ring I build the will of the dragon king [Verse 2] Bolts for the wagons, nails for the gate Lantern oil for the watch to wait Salt and canvas, leather straps Arrowheads laid in orderly stacks I love the weight of a finished load The clean hard truth of the work I know When dawn comes pale on the furnace door They’ll march with more than they had before [Pre-Chorus] Measured hands and a steady nerve Every rivet where it ought to serve If the empire needs a thousand more I’ll be there before the horn can roar [Chorus] I make the blade, I make the shield I make the march and the broken field Crimson Justice in every seam Bahamutia, I serve the dream I make it strong, I make it shine For the lawful fire and the royal line Raise it high, let the banners ring I build the will of the dragon king [Bridge] Some pray in gold, some kneel in fear I hear the law and I draw it near Not for the throne, not for the fame But for the bright clean shape of the name Bahamut’s order, the Queen’s command I fit my fire to the Empire’s hand [Final Chorus] I make the blade, I make the shield I make the march and the broken field Crimson Justice in every seam Bahamutia, I serve the dream I make it strong, I make it shine For the lawful fire and the royal line Raise it high, let the banners ring I build the will of the dragon king [Outro] The hour grows old, but I remain In soot and gold and tempering flame And when they call, I’ll answer glad With every weapon I ever had
