iced earth = 2004 the glorious burden - the devil to pay (july 1st, 1863) | Текст песни

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• iced earth = 2004 the glorious burden
• the devil to pay (july 1st, 1863)

music and lyrics by jon schaffer
intro
“the idea that i wanted to get across in this intro is that which actually happened at west point when the union garrison at fort sumter surrendered to the rebels on april 13th, 1861. when this fact was announced at west point the cadets were doing flag duty. upon hearing the news, the band immediately broke into the national anthem. after a few bars the southern cadets started singing “dixie”. eventually, pushing and shoving developed into a fist fight between fellow cadets, many of which were very dear friends. this intro is symbolic of that day at west point and the beginning of the civil war. the national anthem starts and then after a few bars “dixie” comes in, albeit half time and a bit altered, it gets the point across and creates the tension i was looking for. the cannon fire is self explanatory…..the nightmare begins and we fast forward to july, 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
“i chose to open the epic with the events that union cavalry general john buford was faced with on this first day of battle. whether it was providence or instinct, he was responsible; foreseeing the clash that was about to happen in an almost prophetic manner. it was due to his experience and “ iron will” that the union was able to hold the high ground and have the upper hand in the coming days’ battle. being around 2000 strong, his two brigades were able to “bottle up” the ever advancing confederates (at the peak numbering near 20,000 troops) until infantry support could arrive and give the dismounted cavalry a much needed break. u.s. infantry general john reynolds did arrive just in time and although he was killed shortly after going into action, his contributions on this day are also very important in the big picture.”
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 the chambersburg pike
chorus
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
chorus
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
bridge
“this instrumental bridge starts off with a somewhat melancholic version of “when johnny comes marching home.” i wanted to pay tribute musically to union general john reynolds who was shot and instantly killed on this day. since many soldiers refer to death as “going home” i thought this would be a fitting musical passage to get that point across.
at approximately 7minutes and 05 seconds the pace picks up and a volley is fired by the union side. this entire section is devoted to the union holding and eventually losing the occupation of the town of gettysburg. you will hear the orchestra play passages throughout this entire section that are symbolic of which side is firing, and when. i decide