Blood River

Lyrics

[Intro] Under the ice, the old earth groans A red tide climbs the river stones [Verse 1: Deep Male] The banks are split, the ferries burned The oarlocks crack where the black waves turn I call your name through iron rain The current answers with the slain [Verse 2: Female] I kept your braid beneath my sleeve A small, warm thread I would not leave Now every mile of water stains The hands that held our harvest grain [Pre-Chorus: Duet] [M: The north wind knows what we have done] [F: It carries every daughter, every son] [M: If I go under, hold the shore] [F: I’ll cross this red river once more] [Chorus: Duet and Choir] Blood river, bear our names Carry the lost through the ash and rain Blood river, pull us through I will not leave this bank without you [Choir] Hold fast, hold fast Across the red, across the past [Verse 3: Deep Male] My shield is split, my sight gone dim I feel the cold climb up my limbs Yet through the roar I hear you call A living voice beyond it all [Verse 4: Female] I wade where no one dares to stand Your broken crest within my hand The water takes the breath I save I drag your heartbeat from the wave [Bridge: Intimate Duet] [M: Tell me the fields still turn in spring] [F: The barley bends; the larks still sing] [M: Then let the dead have what they claim] [F: We’ll leave this river with our names] [Final Chorus: Duet and Choir] Blood river, bear our names Carry the lost through the ash and rain Blood river, pull us through I crossed the dark to bring back you [Choir] Hold fast, hold fast Across the red, beyond the past [Outro: Deep Male and Female] [M: The banks grow quiet] [F: The dawn comes slow] [Duet] We leave the blood river below