Canudos
Armahda Lyrics

Dry is the land
The land is arid and parched, lacking in water or fertile soil.

Where the church needs wood
The church is in need of material resources, such as wood, for its construction and maintenance.

And the saints are men
The religious figures are human beings, flawed and vulnerable like any other mortal.

The cross we hold in hands
We are clutching onto the symbol of our faith and belief system.

We chart the holy songs
We compose and sing songs of worship and devotion.

In the face of death
Even when faced with the prospect of dying, we continue to hold onto our faith and beliefs.

Run, run, soldier run
If you are able-bodied, flee as fast as you can from this conflict.

If you have legs run, run, run
Your chances of survival increase if you choose flight over fight.

Who wants to stay?
Remaining in this dangerous and volatile situation is unwise.

Who wants to fight?
Fighting in this conflict will result in certain death.

You may stay but you will surely die
If you choose to remain, you will face certain death.

Poems will be written
Even though the outcome is dire, the story will be remembered and celebrated through art and literature.

The republic will be heard
The voices of those fighting for the republic will be acknowledged and amplified.

The land will lie in ruins
The conflict will leave a trail of devastation and destruction in its wake.

Always burned by the sun
The sun is ever-present, scorching the land and making life more difficult for those who inhabit it.

San Sebastian
A reference to the Brazilian town of Canudos, where the conflict took place.

San Sebastian will not return
The town will never be the same again after the conflict.

Why should we wait here for the day?
There is no point in waiting for a solution to this problem that may never come.

Staring at the sky forever
Looking up at the heavens with no hope of reprieve or salvation.

Waiting for the rain to fall
Hoping for some kind of respite or release from the harsh, dry conditions.

How much time it doesn't matter
The length of time we spend waiting for relief is insignificant compared to the magnitude of our suffering.

We'll wait for the rain to fall
Despite the crushing hopelessness of the situation, we hold out for the possibility of rain or some kind of relief.

Over our heads the silence will end
The conflict will eventually reach its climax and come to a violent conclusion.

The cross and the drought rule the land
The symbols of religion and the harsh environment dominate and dictate the situation on the ground.

Welcome to the resistance come
Join the fight against oppression and tyranny.

Send them away!
Force the enemy out and defeat them.

Tell me how the story ends
What will be the outcome of this tragic conflict?

Dry their bones, no graves for them
The victims of the conflict will not even receive a proper burial or remembrance.

Through certain death the silence did end
The violence and bloodshed finally put an end to the lengthy period of suffering and waiting.

The mob and the cross rule the land
The mob mentality and religious symbols continue to be powerful forces in shaping the situation on the ground.

After the fight a new day shall
Once the conflict finally comes to an end, there will be a chance for new beginnings and a brighter future.

It shall arise
The new day will come into existence.

Dust to dust
A reminder of the transience and impermanence of all things.

Dust to sand
The transformation and degradation of the land through the passage of time and natural processes.

And dry is the land
The struggle against the harsh climate and environment continues.

Dry is the land
The land remains parched and barren, with no end to the drought in sight.

Dry is the land
The repeated assertion of the land's aridity emphasizes the overwhelming severity of the situation.

Dust to dust
A final reminder that all living things will eventually return to the earth.