A sentry on the battlements
A rider at the gate
Who would pass must speak the word
The time is growing late
Rumours and surmises
They fly on every hand
The wind is rising in the west
There's famine in the land
Look away, look away, donu0027t look away
Said the rider at the gate

All mourn the besieged City
Our empire's last outpost
History red and swirling
Whispers like a hungry ghost
It's midnight at the crossroads
And blood may be your fate
Speak now or stay silent
Said the rider at the gate
Get away, get away, canu0027t get away
Said the rider at the gate

The prophets warned you long ago
But you silenced all debate
Democracy in ashes soon
An ember in the grate
Carbons past the tipping point
It will swamp your ship of state
Prepare to reap the whirlwind
Said the rider at the gate
Run away, run away, canu0027t run away
Said the rider at the gate

Say shibboleth or face your death
Your money's no good here
Your destiny comes crawling
Across the fields of fear
We've damaged our collateral
This is the best-by date
We're mortgaged to the Devil
Said the rider at the gate
Look away, look away, donu0027t look away
Look away, look away, donu0027t look away
Said the rider at the gate