Battle Hymn (For the Eight Crusades) Lyrics

in 1095 A.D. the first holy war was decreed
a statement signed by Christ, no one questioned authenticity
forged by the monk, Peter the Hermit, and the wheels begin to roll
'Deus Vult' becomes the battle cry, but God's will claims a death-toll
cultivating simple hate, fires of Hell burn in their heart
no mercy left for other faith, reclaim what's theirs, march and march
how do you feel when your drenched in blood?
still pure and righteous?
holy wars for the land of God
mind-washed and guiltless
how do you feel when your drenched in blood?
still pure and righteous?
holy wars for the land of God
mind-washed and guiltless
there were flocks of children fitted with swords and shields oversized
faith will make them impervious to harm, that same faith that makes you blind
empty words soon turned to empty stomachs, a rosary but not a prayer
open yours ears and eyes to a true infant sacrifice, this is no nightmare
truly no honor among thieves
crusaders looting their own temples, soldiers sold for the highest offerings
no mercy left, not even for their own kind
it must be true what they say, that hate is blind
...and the tears of the innocent shall be... be as water
...and the blood of the innocent shall never... never matter
...and the lives of the innocent lie silent... they lie silent and still
...as swords and shields compell to... Jerusalem
'to take the cross' was God's command, can you hear glory calling?
and pave the way in bodies of millions who've paid the ultimate price
impaled heads of victims, spectacles of power to strike fear
more glory for God to behold, year after blood-soaked year
terms: 'Deus Vult': (latin) 'God wills it'
'to take the cross': to join the crusades, to become a crusader