Interpret:

Iced Earth

Album:

The Glorious Burden

[July 1st, 1863] 


In July 1863 
A nation torn in tragedy 
A trick of fate, two great armies merge 
Gods of war at Gettysburg 
Devastation lies ahead 
50,000 bodies litter the land 
Hell rages three full days 
The reaper sows, there's the devil to pay 


The pressure's on and the reb's attack 
The yanks must hold, They can't fall back 
Just two brigades, 2000 strong 
Against 20,000 they can't hold long 


General Reynolds makes his way 
Expect no mercy from the iron brigade 
Until he shows they're on their own 
But Buford's men have a will of stone 


Bayonets gleam in the morning sun 
Smoke and fire belching from their guns 
Another volley and again they strike 
Thousands more comin' down Chambersburg pike 


[refrén:] 
This tragedy and what it brings 
All the devastation 
(The reaper has his way) 
Men will kill, Blood will spill 
To preserve the nation 
(There's the devil to pay) 


South of town down the Emmitsburg road 
The first corps are starting to show 
For Buford's men, they're here just in time 
The desperate need to strengthen the line 


Bodies dropping the blue and the grey 
Muskets fire and cannon blaze 
The union fights defending the town 
But they're outnumbered and losing ground 


From the north and the west more rebels arrive 
Thousands more and the fight multiplies 
McPhearson's ridge and the black hats strike 
A rebel sharpshooter takes Reynolds life 


[Repeat Chorus] 


Attack! Attack! General Lee gives command 
They're overwhelmed, The situation demands 
The federals retreat and rush out of town 
But they have fortified and saved the high ground 


The day ends in victory for the south 
Lee's as convinced as God's will is profound 
They are invincible and their cause is just 
But Longstreet is cautious and lacking in trust 


Across the way the union digs in 
The round tops, Cemetery Ridge and out to Culps Hill 
Their lines are strong, no denying they'll stay 
When the confederates strike 
There'll be the devil to pay 


[Repeat Chorus]