[Intro] Candles drown in dripping wax Incense chokes the vaulted air Steel and scripture on my back Blood already everywhere [Verse 1] Knee to stone Forehead bruised from every prayer Silver sun upon my cloak Flecked with ash With rust With despair Every vow Etched in bone instead of skin I held that banner high While the war rotted within [Chorus] This is the day my halo cracked Golden lies in the dirt out back I wore your law like iron chains Now I rise in the ruin of your reign I tear your sigil from my chest Let the ravens have what’s left I was your chosen Your perfect blade Tonight your perfect paladin betrays [Verse 2] Holy book Stained with mud and someone’s tears Every commandment just Etched excuses for our fears Children’s names On a prayer list burned to coal “Necessary sacrifice” Echoes curdle in my soul [Pre-Chorus] If this is light Why does it blind? If this is mercy Why the graves behind me lined? [Chorus] [Bridge] [low vocal register] I stood in armor Bright as dawn Shields raised While you fed them to the maw You called it order Sacred war But every hymn just hid the gore [whispered vocals] I hear them marching in my head All the unheard All the dead [crescendo] So judge me now Cast me down I’ll wear your curse As a crooked crown [guitar solo] [Chorus]
