Battle Hymns
Tom Morello The Nightwatchman Lyrics

Battle hymns for the broken, battle hymns for the misled
Songs of hope and strength for those who have been shattered and deceived

Battle hymns for the wretched, the forgotten and the dead
Songs of solidarity for those who have been left behind and lost

Battle hymns of redemption of solidarity and pride
Songs of renewal and unity that inspire us to stand tall

Battle hymns we will be singing at the turning of the tide
Songs that will guide us through the darkness towards a brighter future

Can you explain to the mothers and the fathers of those
Can you justify to the loved ones of those lost in war

Who come riding home in coffins in their military clothes?
Who return to their homes in caskets dressed in their uniform?

Shiny medals pinned to their dead teenage chests
Decorations for bravery adorning the dead bodies of young soldiers

While the trumpets blare and you lie your best
As the brass instruments sound and you try to spin the truth

So ask all you want from the dusk till the dawn
You can ask all night until morning comes

The answer's still, no, 'cause, brother, I'm gone
But the answer will always be no, because I'm not there anymore

Can you explain away the sleight of hand and the criminality
Can you excuse the deceit and wrongdoing

Of spending souls for oil? Well, in the mirror I can see
Of sacrificing lives for petroleum? I see my reflection, and I know my role

I am the path that leads down, I am the dark and bloody hall
I represent the road to ruin, the eerie and violent passageway

I'm the reaper, executioner, hangman, judge and the law
I am the bringer of death, the implementer of sentences, the executor, the judge, and the law

So tie a yellow ribbon 'round the oak tree on the lawn
So go ahead and hang a yellow ribbon as a symbol of hope

But the cavalry's not comin' 'cause, brother, they're gone
But the cavalry won't arrive because they're not around anymore

So I'm sharpening my shovel, I'm firing the kiln
So I'm preparing for a fight, I'm gearing up for a battle

I'm blind and I am purposeful, a martyr on the hill
I am unwavering in my conviction, willing to sacrifice myself for my cause

The dream you might be dreaming might be someone else's dream tonight
The vision you have for your future might be someone else's reality

I'm the whisperer of misgivings, I'm the fading tail light
I'm the one who voices doubts, I'm the one whose presence slowly disappears

I'm the call for retribution from the back of the smoke-filled hall
I'm the voice calling for revenge from the back of a room filled with smoke

I'm the vow of bitterness, I'm the poison in the well
I'm the promise of resentment, I'm the toxic influence

I've a photographic memory of the deeds I will avenge
I remember every atrocity for which I plan to seek justice

I'm the cold in the river hollow, I've a hat-pin, I've a plan
I'm the frigidness in the riverside valley, armed with a sharp object and a strategy

I don't care of cause or consequence, head shaved and body lean
I don't care about the reason or the outcome, I'm ready with a shaven head and a fit physique

I'm the go-getter, the score settler, I'm the shadow on the green
I'm the driven one, the one who will balance the scores, I'm the obscure figure on the grass

And there's a flock of blackbirds flying, nearly ten thousand strong
And there's a big group of blackbirds flying, reaching about ten thousand in number

Who set off this morning and, brother, they're gone
Who flew off this morning, and now they're nowhere to be seen

Battle hymns for the broken, battle hymns for the misled
Songs of hope and strength for those who have been shattered and deceived

Battle hymns for the wretched, the forgotten, for the dead
Songs of solidarity for those who have been left behind and lost

Battle hymns of redemption of solidarity and pride
Songs of renewal and unity that inspire us to stand tall

Battle hymns we will be singing at the turning of the tide
Songs that will guide us through the darkness towards a brighter future