Battle hymns for the broken
Battle hymns for the mislead
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 metals pinned on 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 is still no

Cause brother I'm gone

Battle hymns for the broken

Battle hymns for the mislead
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 slide 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 their gone


Battle hymns for the broken
Battle hymns for the mislead

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

And I'm firing my kill
I'm blind and I am purposeful
A martyr on the hill


The dream you might be dreamin
Might be someone elses dream tonight

I'm the whisperer of misgivens
And I'm the fading tail light


I'm the call for retribution
From the back of the smoke filled hall
I'm the vile of bitterness

I am the poison in the well

I'm the photographic memory

Of the deeds I will avenge
I'm the cold in the river hollow
I have a hat pin, I have a plan


And I don't care for cause of 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 black birds flying
Nearly ten thousand strong

They were set off this morning
And brother, their gone

Battle hymns for the broken
Battle hymns for the mislead

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