five hundred soldiers in the morning
nine hundred here by night
sleep to wake up in the slaughtering light
you flow across the border
black duster marching order
there's no living while surviving the night

at my hand a hidden number
left to me to take their chance
toward the gate another number advance
there's murder in these choices
in the valleys of these voices
wash our swords - in the sea - in a trance

i rush with you into the valley
arise a mother defending the gate
now you live beside campfires
in the wilderness
it knows how to wait for you
there aren't any stories
for you there aren't any stories

the thunder of the horses
and the stars to fight their courses
against the ones who turn to plundering tools
from the right hand and the left one
come the hammer and the bludgeon
are they not finding and dividing the spoils?

when all the roads were abandoned
and we took to the winding paths
why did you stare into the distance
at the question we constantly ask?
for you
there aren't any stories
for you there aren't any stories

five hundred soldiers in the morning
nine hundred here by night
sleep to wake up in the slaughtering light
there's murder in these choices
in the valleys of these voices
there's no living while surviving the night

first the hurricane that shatters rock
next the earthquake that will never stop
thrown to fire all you cannot save
a gentle whisper outside the cave

I told you once in your time
you don't listen when there's hills to climb
you burn on legs of fear
what are you doing here?

read with me the line
stay with me here in time
such a long arm I have
did you think i wouldn't win you back?

they decide who keeps the boat
ocean gripping you by the throat
in a belly or a grave
the gentle whisper outside the cave

so you're angry enough to die?
punishment has always been your right
repentence makes you afraid
speak with fire at what brought you shade