[Verse 1] Bare feet on the barrow Frost in my hair In my lungs Ash on my tongue I am waiting For the first of the nine spell-songs Old earth humming under Skull of the hill in my hands “Witch-mother Wake in my marrow Teach me the words of your land” [Chorus] Maiden of the Mead Rise up Rise up (hey!) Golden one Bright as the breaking flood You are fate You are Freya in the blood of my blood Maiden of the Mead I drink I drown You cut me open and you sew my crown Guide me through the dark Through the dark Through the dark And back around [Verse 2] Crow-song counting the heartbeats One for the loss Two for the lie Three for the hunger that rots men Four for the will to defy Five for the name I was given Six for the name I forgot Seven for the one that I answer Eight for the fire in my gut [Pre-Chorus] Nine times calling Tight-throat calling “Mother of bones Unbind me” Nine spells twisting Black wind hissing “Child Remember who you be” [Chorus] Maiden of the Mead Rise up Rise up (woah) Golden one Bright as the breaking flood You are fate You are Freya in the blood of my blood Maiden of the Mead I drink I drown You cut me open and you sew my crown Guide me through the dark Through the dark Through the dark And back around [Bridge] [Drums fall to a heartbeat; low chant] Walls of fire I ride straight through Smoke in my lungs But I’m seeing you Gold-bound Valkyrie Sleeping still Chains in your hair Crown on the hill I take the blade that bears my name Cut through greed Through rust Through shame Pour your cup in my open hand Burn my tongue till I understand (oh) [Verse 3] Honey on steel On my teeth now Sun in my veins In my eyes You take my hand through the grave-mist Laugh at the mask of the pyre You lead me out You lead me under Birth-cry Death-rattle Same sound Every life your yellow banner Every fall another round [Chorus] Maiden of the Mead Rise up Rise up (hey!) Golden one Bright as the breaking flood You are fate You are Freya in the blood of my blood Maiden of the Mead I drink I bow Sworn to your path in the here and now Guide me through the dark Through the dark Through the dark And back around [Outro] Bride of my breath You are Fire in my feet You are Name in my mouth You are Light when the torches fail Maiden of the Mead I stand Ash on my tongue Your hand Leading me home Again On the barrow trail
