Battle Hymns Lyrics - Singles - The Nightwatchman

Battle hymns for the broken, battle hymns for the misled 

Battle hymns for the wretched, the forgotten and the dead 

Battle hymns of redemption of solidarity and pride 

Battle hymns we will be singing at the turning of the tide 

Can you explain to the mothers and the fathers of those 

Who come riding home in coffins in their military clothes? 

Shiny medals pinned to their dead teenage chests 

While the trumpets blare and you lie your best 

So ask all you want from the dusk till the dawn 

The answer's still, no, 'cause, brother, I'm gone 

Battle hymns for the broken, battle hymns for the misled 

Battle hymns for the wretched, the forgotten and the dead 

Battle hymns of redemption of solidarity and pride 

Battle hymns we will be singing at the turning of the tide 

Can you explain away the sleight of hand and the criminality 

Of spending souls for oil? Well, in the mirror I can see 

I am the path that leads down, I am the dark and bloody hall 

I'm the reaper, executioner, hangman, judge and the law 

So tie a yellow ribbon 'round the oak tree on the lawn 

But the cavalry's not comin' 'cause, brother, they're gone 

Battle hymns for the broken, battle hymns for the misled 

Battle hymns for the wretched, the forgotten and the dead 

Battle hymns of redemption of solidarity and pride 

Battle hymns we will be singing at the turning of the tide 

So I'm sharpening my shovel, I'm firing the kiln 

I'm blind and I am purposeful, a martyr on the hill 

The dream you might be dreaming might be someone else's dream tonight 

I'm the whisperer of misgivings, I'm the fading tail light 

I'm the call for retribution from the back of the smoke filled hall 

I'm the vow of bitterness, I'm the poison in the well 

I've a photographic memory of the deeds I will avenge 

I'm the cold in the river hollow, I've a hat-pin, I've a plan 

I don't care of cause or consequence, head shaved and body lean 

I'm the go-getter, the score settler, I'm the shadow on the green 

And there's a flock of blackbirds flying, nearly ten thousand strong 

Who set off this morning and, brother, they're gone 

Battle hymns for the broken, battle hymns for the misled 

Battle hymns for the wretched, the forgotten, for the dead 

Battle hymns of redemption of solidarity and pride 

Battle hymns we will be singing at the turning of the tide