[Verse 1] They shackle the young, they brand the old, A spear in your hand, a crown bought in gold. They whisper of glory, they promise a name, But all you inherit is labour and shame. [Verse 2] You march for a banner that’s never your own, You bleed for a lord who rots on his throne. The drums beat steady, the pipe-song plays, But the song is written to end your days. [Chorus] March for a crown! Bleed for a name! Die for a throne, That won’t know your shame. Chains of war, chains of war, You are the coin they spend for more. [Verse 3] The fields are sown with bodies like grain, The kings drink wine while the widows remain. The priests raise prayers for the victor’s side, But no god listens to slaves who’ve died. [Verse 4] The captains feast, the generals boast, Of how many slaves they’ve fed to the host. A thousand gone for a border line, A thousand more for the lord’s design. [Chorus] March for a crown! Bleed for a name! Die for a throne, That won’t know your shame. Chains of war, chains of war, You are the coin they spend for more. [Bridge] Forward march, to a shallow grave! Forward march, you’re born a slave! Forward march, while the trumpets cheer! Forward march, you’ll die right here! [Verse 5] And when the war ends, the chains remain, They pass to your children, they pass with your name. The lash will wait till the next war’s call, For the slave’s not a soldier — he’s nothing at all. [Final Chorus] March for a crown! Bleed for a name! Die for a throne, That won’t know your shame. Chains of war, chains of war, You are the coin they spend for more. [Outro] Chains of war! (Chains of war!) Chains of war! (Chains of war!) Chains of war… (Chains of war…)
