ANCIENT RITES LYRICS

1. Golden Path To Samarkand

2. Carthago Delenda Est

Ancient Phoenician colony, reigning the untamed Sea
Formidable fleet built of the iconic cedar tree
Inventing an early alphabet, contriving transparent glass
Holding the key to purple, rare colour of the Empire Class

TANIT! BA'AL! TANIT! BA'AL!

An empire rising so sudden, startled the ancient world
Dominance at stake, against Carthago legions had to be hurled
For this closed civilisation was looked upon with fear and distrust
Whispers of infant sacrifice filled the ancient world with disgust

Carthago Delenda Est!

The Punic God Ba’al-Hamon, the centre of Carthago religion
Demanded human burning flesh, in ancient sources is written
Whether dark reality or rumours, opinions are divided to this day
A clash of titans, the Punic Wars, and Rome made Carthago pay

Hannibal shook the Roman World, victory for Phoenicians within reach
"Carthago Delenda Est", Cato The Elder's famous repeated speech

"Carthage must be destroyed" Cato stated, a prediction harsh and dire
Scipio set the city ablaze, and thus Carthago went down in fire

Ancient Phoenician colony, reigning the untamed Sea
Formidable fleet built of the iconic cedar tree
Inventing an early alphabet, contriving transparent glass
Holding the key to purple, rare colour of the Empire Class

TANIT! BA'AL! TANIT! BA'AL!

Razed to the ground, ruins remained, 50.000 as slaves to be sold
It was the most absolute fall for a civilisation that old
That is the tragic tale of the once mighty empire of trade
Echoes of (Greek) tragedies come to mind, thinking of Carthago's fate
Carthago Delenda Est…

3. Under The Sign Of Laguz

Onward into the Northern waters, onward!
Forward to tame unknown lands, forward!
Alfather Odin be our guide, onward!
Under the Laguz rune, forward!

UNDER THE SIGN OF LAGUZ WE SAIL
UNAFRAID OF WHAT AWAITS

WHEN THE LIFE'S JOURNEY IS OVER
WE BEHOLD VALHALLA'S GATES

UNDER THE SIGN OF LAGUZ WE SAIL
UNAFRAID OF WHAT AWAITS

WHEN THE LIFE'S JOURNEY IS OVER
WE BEHOLD VALHALLA'S GATES

Laguz representing, ebb and flow of life
Sign of the water and spiritual strife
The timeless sea, origin and source of life
Yet unpredictable element, of Death and of Thrive

UNDER THE SIGN OF LAGUZ WE SAIL
UNAFRAID OF WHAT AWAITS

WHEN THE LIFE'S JOURNEY IS OVER
WE BEHOLD VALHALLA'S GATES

UNDER THE SIGN OF LAGUZ WE SAIL
UNAFRAID OF WHAT AWAITS

WHEN THE LIFE'S JOURNEY IS OVER
WE BEHOLD VALHALLA'S GATES

The ocean, the domain of the Midgard Serpent
Giving, but also taking, the life of sailor and merchant
Oh symbol of the subconscious and dream
Of travel in flesh and mind, haven for souls to redeem

Sacred to Njord and the Aegir, deities of the sea
Laguz represents the Well of Wyrd, near the Yggdrasil tree
Laguz stands for mystery, revelation, fertility, growth, the unknown, life energy

Rune of the universal knowledge, collective ancient wisdom
Pre-dating more recent teachings, Islamic or Christian

UNDER THE SIGN OF LAGUZ WE SAIL
UNAFRAID OF WHAT AWAITS

WHEN THE LIFE'S JOURNEY IS OVER
WE BEHOLD VALHALLA'S GATES

UNDER THE SIGN OF LAGUZ WE SAIL
UNAFRAID OF WHAT AWAITS

WHEN THE LIFE'S JOURNEY IS OVER
WE BEHOLD VALHALLA'S GATES

4. Von Gott Entfernt (Bij Nacht En Ontij)

The lowlands saw the rise of a Guild unseen
A Phoenix rising contra church and regime

Dead Man's Hand!

Across the countries they spread their attack
The legend said that they rode on goat back

Dead Man's Hand!

"ICK ZWEER GOD AF EN DEN DUYVEL AAN!"
Hosts in blood, a mockery of sacred rites!
"ICK ZWEER GOD AF EN DEN DUYVEL AAN!"
Hosts in blood, a mockery of sacred rites!

Bockereyders! Ze Reden Bij Nacht!
Bockereyders! Den Ziel Gitzwart!
Bockereyders! Brandend Land!
Bockereyders! Aan Duyvel Verpand!

"Gezellen" or "Complicen" ("companions" or "accomplises")
is how they called themselves
But they live on in legend as "Bokkereyders", in books on the shelves
Some were soldiers, butchers, Captain Kirchhoffs a military surgeon
Nol van Geleen an artist, regardless, the road to oblivion was certain
"ICK ZWEER GOD AF EN DEN DUYVEL AAN!"
Anti-Christian symbolism, robbing of churches, sacking leaders of society

Bockereyders! In Der Nacht!
Bockereyders! Der Teufel lacht!
Bockereyders! Das land brennt!
Bockereyders! Von Gott Enhernt!

Yet their ranks grew more and more
For Gain? Revolt? Or both?
Von Gott Enhernt! Von Gott Enhernt!
"ICK ZWEER GOD AF EN DEN DUYVEL AAN!"
Hosts in blood, a mockery of sacred rites!
"ICK ZWEER GOD AF EN DEN DUYVEL AAN!"
Hosts in blood, a mockery of sacred rites!

Bockereyders! In Der Nacht!
Bockereyders! Der Teufel lacht!
Bockereyders! Das land brennt!
Bockereyders! Von Gott Enhernt!

5. Apostata (Imperator Fidelis)

"Apostata", One without religion, a name given to Thee
That is how one sees Thee, through the eyes of history
But as a pupil and writer of the ancient Hellenist school
"Fidelis" more appropriate, Thou embraced a more Ancient Rule

People and Senate of Rome
Thou could not rely on Heathen Frankish Legions Allies to count on
history cannot be changed, irony or a trick of fate?
For Reformation Thy Life too short, Thy dream came too late
Philosopher, Man of Letters, Military Commander
Whilst Rome Christianised, Neoplatonic Pagan Defender
Last Heathen Ruler over a changing Empire
Restoring the Old Rome, enlightening the Ancient Pagan Fire

In the haste of pursuing a retreating Sassanid Foe
Taking only Thy sword, Front line, though
Choosing speed over caution, in 363 AD
A spear infliced a mortal wound, causing The End of Thee

AGAINST THE GALILAEANS! KATA GALILEON!
CONTRA GALILEOS! KATA GALILEON!

Philosopher, Man of Letters, Military Commander
Whilst Rome Christianised, Neoplatonic Pagan Defender
Last Heathen Ruler over a changing Empire
Restoring the Old Rome, enlightening the Ancient Pagan Fire

"Apostata", One without religion, a name given to Thee
That is how one sees Thee, through the eyes of history
History cannot be changed, irony or a trick of fate?
For Reformation Thy Life too short, Thy dream came too late

Against the Galilaeans! Kata Galileon!
Contra Galileos! Kata Galileon!
APOSTATA! APOSTATA!
Libanius the Theosophist wrote, it was Treason causing your fall
A spear hired by the Clergy against whom Thou stood Tall

APOSTATA! APOSTATA!

It was Basil of Caesaria, who ordered The Kill, later made a Saint
Well at least so John Malelas from Antioch always claimed
Restoring Ancient Temples, casting out politicians corrupt
Not even two years Thy Rule, Your Reing ended abrupt

For Life does not treat kind the Idealist Nostalgic Soul
Those chasing Dreams lost, must burn for Once...For All

"Apostata", One without religion, a name given to Thee
That is how one sees Thee, through the eyes of history
History cannot be changed, irony or a trick of fate?
For Reformation Thy Life too short, Thy dream came too late

AGAINST THE GALILAEANS! KATA GALILEON!
CONTRA GALILEOS! KATA GALILEON!

AGAINST THE GALILAEANS! KATA GALILEON!
CONTRA GALILEOS! KATA GALILEON!

6. Legio V Alaudae (Fifth Larks Legion)

Recruited in Ancient Gallia, sole foreign legion
Their status quite apart, remaining gauls at heart
Legio Quinta Alaudae, named after the solitary Gallic Lark
And their crested Gaulish helmets, their destiny oblivious and dark

Legio Quinta Alaudae named after the solitary Gallic Lark
And their crested Gaulish helmets, their destiny oblivious and dark
OH LEGIO QUINTA ALAUDAE
THOU ANCIENT GALLIC LARKS

ONWARDS INTO LEGEND, THEN PERISHED
INTO OBLIVION THOU MARCHED

Punished for their loyalty by a usurper, Alaudae promptly revolted against Rome
For in their Gallic minds, their oath sacred, regardless the old Emperor's fall
On their shields, a war elephant, a symbol of bravery, the 5th had won
For fighting war elephants, first in line, under a burning, African sun

In the year of 86, the Legion met their Doom
At the battle of Tapae, 5000 went down in gloom

Their standard and all men perished, on the Legion list so did their name
Thus was the end of the larks, now only in Legend they reign

OH LEGIO QUINTA ALAUDAE
THOU ANCIENT GALLIC LARKS

ONWARDS INTO LEGEND, THEN PERISHED
INTO OBLIVION THOU MARCHED
Oh Legio Quinta Gallica, in Colonia, a tombstone remains

7. Mind Unconquered

Life is not a bed of roses
Wise words, most will admit
Struggles, ordeals in small or heavy doses
Final result:decay in a pit

From the Cradle to the Grave - THE POWER OF THE WILL
From the Cradle to the Grave - WILLPOWER!
From the Cradle to the Grave - MIND UNCONQUERED
From the Cradle to the Grave - SOUL INVICTUS!

How trivial matters indeed can appear
Some cling on to causes, others pray in fear, or think not

From the Cradle to the Grave - THE POWER OF THE WILL
From the Cradle to the Grave - WILLPOWER!
From the Cradle to the Grave - MIND UNCONQUERED
From the Cradle to the Grave - SOUL INVICTUS!
The human intellect, a blessing or a curse

Finding inner strenght, turn pain into gain
Important is one fought, even if in vain

Knowledge, no matter, is relevant to me
Yet no peace of mind offered, no man totally free
Cultivating self-pity is a way I do detest
Face life, face death, is life but a mere test?

How trivial matters indeed can appear
Some cling on to causes, others pray in fear, or think not


From the Cradle to the Grave - THE POWER OF THE WILL
From the Cradle to the Grave - WILLPOWER!
From the Cradle to the Grave - MIND UNCONQUERED
From the Cradle to the Grave - SOUL INVICTUS!

Rest assured, solitary minds find no rest
Alliances few, lone path, but what is best?
The mind blank, the soul of a sheep?
Rather walk the path of the Wolf, Soul will not weep
From the Cradle to the Grave! From the Cradle to the Grave!

Struggles, ordeals in small or heavy doses
Final result:decay in a pit

MIND POWER! MIND POWER!

8. Umbra Sumus (We Are Shadows)

UMBRA SUMUS - WE AR SHADOWS - UMBRA SUMUS
If you lie in hiding and hardly breathe at all
You will see grey-clad weaver folk, like shadows on the wall
Dim shadows on the moonbeams
Of people of old times
Come trooping from the attics
Salute, talk, advance

If you lie in hiding and hardly breathe at all
One Day you and I appear like Shadows on the Wall
If you lie in hiding and hardly breathe at all
You will see iron clad soldiers, like silhouettes on the wall
Fierce shadows on the moonbeams
Of heroes of old times
Salute! In line! Advance! Salute! In line! Advance!

IF YOU LIE IN HIDING AND HARDLY BREATHE AT ALL
ONE DAY YOU AND I APPEAR LIKE SHADOWS ON THE WALL

If you lie in hiding and hardly breathe at all
One Day you and I appear like Shadows on the Wall
Umbra Sumus - Wae re shadows - Umbra Sumus

If you lie in hiding and hardly breathe at all
You will see elegant lady folk, like flowers on the wall
Dim shadows on the moonbeams
Of wenches of old times
Come trooping from the attics
Embrace, kiss, advance

IF YOU LIE IN HIDING AND HARDLY BREATHE AT ALL
ONE DAY YOU AND I APPEAR LIKE SHADOWS ON THE WALL

Forgotten shadows on the moonbeams, ghosts longing for past times
And you and I come trooping from the attic...Dead, Lost, In Trance

9. Frankenland

Yet once more let us look upon the North Sea
Behold the lands, where our folk & kin roamed free
Ancient echoes from distant valleys, where once afar
Elder cults practised in sacred woods, Pagan fires under many a Star

Ethics of Valour, codes of Ancient Pride
Now long gone, the Archaic Gods in hide
Fled seem to have the olden Souls too
But if one listens carefully, they might reach through

For if one has an olden spirit, a centuries old heart
Forgotten Chants might echo, hear the ancient bard
Scaldic poetry of runes, of victory and defeat
Vague sounds of song, an ancient heartbeat

AVONDLAND, IN HET HART GEBRAND
OUD GERMANENLAND

Alas the Ancients faded, centuries shred a cloud
Over what once was, the songs no longer loud

AVONDLAND, IN HET HART GEBRAND
ZIEL VERBRAND, OUD GERMANENLAND

Life no fairy tale, survival of the fittest, true
Blood, sweat and tears, battles to pull through
Ethics of Valour, codes of Ancient Pride
Now long gone, the Archaic Gods in hide
Fled seem to have the olden Souls too
But if one listens carefully, they might reach through

Life no fairy tale, survival of the fittest, true
Blood, sweat and tears, battles to pull through
But if not for our forefathers there would be none of us
Passed on the torch, to the Ancients loyalty thus

AVONDLAND! FRANKENLAND! AVONDLAND! FRANKENLAND!

10. Fatum (Ill Fate/Noodlot)

A merciless Sea dragging you down, while the distant shore almost in Reach
Trying to find a way back home, when one's vessel stranded on a distant Beach
Like longing for a beam of Sunlight, in a world of hostile Frost
Adam and Eve reaching out for light, when already their Paradise is Lost

Finally declaring how great ones Love, while the lovers' heartbeat faded Away
A Terminal patient wishing for Life, but forever gone, yet another Day

A poet seeking Eternity, whose talents are drowned in Absinth
Wishing for a vast landscape, when King Minos sent you to his Labyrinth
At last innocence proven, buit the guillotines' blade cut a minute too soon
Like a Vampire captured by a Midsummer Night, when the Sun banished the Moon
A young soldiers broken eyes, gazing at an empty, cold winter Sky
Never knowing why, on the Last Day of the War, he had to Die
Writing the words to a Poem, composing a Song, that no Soul will hear
Standing at Crossroads, never progressing, because all choices shall cost you dear







ANCIENT RITES LYRICS