OnOrE — Empire

EMPIRE Verse 1 Long live the empire A feral face Hoarse from delirium Choked in dirt and disgrace A swarm under skin Dressed for decay Take me — I’m yours No light Only night Only grey ⸻ Verse 2 You saw the poem And you bent your head Culture of protest Isn’t a trend It’s the dead You want a conscience? Break into the tale Speak the rhythm Of bones When they fail ⸻ Chorus Empire. Long live the empire. Empire. Long live. ⸻ Verse 3 Under the screams Of the frightened and tame Weapons tear flesh But not your name Your clean shirt Pressed to your skin While the empire Speaks For all of them ⸻ Bridge (spoken / broken) Not my blood — So it’s allowed Not my voice — So it’s too loud The empire Is always right ⸻ Final Chorus Empire. Long live the empire. (pause) Empire.