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lyrics

Statecraft and politics weary me so
More than my fighting days ever could
For I took the crown but did not mean to rule
Where my barbarian spirit does me no good
The poets sing songs against me
And corrupt the people with melodies
They worship old gods in their temples
And they talk of rebellion in the streets
Now my sword is useless
And none of my paths are straight
I miss the simple days of my youth
When my enemies would charge the gate

I sleep uneasy in my royal chambers
And now I hear footsteps outside in the hall
They thought I’d be asleep when they came here
Instead I hold my blade with my armor on
The old royals plot against me
And there’s twenty men strong to take my life
The guard’s paid off, I am unprotected
They raise their blades with a battle cry
Now my sword will end your hubris
All your well laid plans don’t mean a thing
Rush in and die, dogs
I was a man before I was king

In the desert, the wizard Thoth-Amon
Has the ring of the serpent god, Set
And with the blood of a prince and a talisman
He calls forth creatures from the depths
Dark forces rise against me
My blade is broken, my clothes are torn
From the grave, Epemitreus sent me
The Phoenix on the Sword
Now my sword has magic run through it
Crom laughs at your serpent ring
Rush in and die, dogs
I was a man before I was king

What do I know of cultured ways
The gilt, the craft and the lie? 
I, who was born in a naked land
And bred in the open sky.
The subtle tongue, the sophist guile 
They fail when the broadswords sing
Rush in and die, dogs
I was a man before I was a king.

credits

from No Paths Are Straight and My Sword Is Useless, released August 28, 2022

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Jim Arkus Trenton, New Jersey

All the power, exhaustion, evil, and even black magic of the blues, played on the five string banjo, guitar, and the mountain dulcimer.

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