Candlemass

Epicus Doomicus Metallicus

Solitude
Demon's Gate
Crystal Ball
Black Stone Weilder
Under the Oak
A Sorcerer's Ple

Solitude
Lyrics by Leif Edling

I'm sitting here alone in darkness
waiting to be free
lonely and forlorn, I am crying
I long for my time to come
death means just life
Please let me die in solitude
Hate is my only friend
Pain is my father
Torment is delight to me
Death is my sanctuary
I seek it with pleasure
Please let me die in solitude
Recieve my sacrifice
my life blood is exhausted
no one can love and understand me
hear these words vilifiers and pretenders
Please let me die in solitude
Earth to earth
Ashes to ashes
and dust to dust
I'm sitting here in darkness
waiting to be free
lonely and forlorn I am crying
I long for my time to come
death means just life
Please let me die in solitude
Earth to earth
Ashes to ashes
and dust to dust
And please let me die in solitude

Demon's Gate
Lyrics by Leif Edling

Beyond doom and all nightmares I met my fate
an ancient pathway surrounded by hate
scared I was with my hand on my cross
I went into the demon's gate
Across the Styx among the mist of Hades
a gate of stone marks the path
to soul's damnation and hell's wrath
Ancient evil is waiting there
at the doorstep to hell
within its darkness the demons dwell
From the dark gate the passage paid
created by witchcraft and hate
where every sinner will meet his fate
This place is curved by the hands of doom
unholy powers embrace
the devil's paradise of pain
Approach, the Eibon opens for you
choirs of damnation call you on through
twilight possesses the heart of your soul
the starlight is fading to black, to the demon's gate
Demon's gate

Crystal Ball
Lyrics by Leif Edling

Black heart, your soul is mine, mine, mine!
Gaze into and the secrets you'll find, find, find!
Just read the sign
Gaze into the crystal
see what it tells
it can bring you a fortune
do you so well
Visions and dreams you can see in the crystal ball
The crystal ball
I saw the rainbow's end
I am raptured I cannot pretend
I found Atlantis
the talisman of Seth
Gaze into the crystal
see what it tells
it can bring you a fortune
do you so well
Visions and dreams you can see in the crystal ball
The crystal ball
I've seen it all
gaze into the crystal ball
tell me what I want to know
please hear my call
Gaze into the crystal
see what it tells
it can bring you a fortune
do you so well
Visions and dreams you can see in the crystal ball
The crystal ball

Black Stone Weilder
Lyrics by Leif Edling

The rain kept on falling and darkened the sky
the dawn was to come with the sunrise
Revealing the shadows that passed through the mist,
the torch light was flickering
the storm was chasing them on
A procession of dark coats followed the star
foretold to come since ages
In silence they walked on crossing their lands
on the way to Bethlehem to break the chains of the spell
Stone, they worshipped the stone
in generation from father to son
A star, a star is to come
to light the way to the one who is born
The leader he knelt there to greet the new born
holding his pendant before him
tear drops were falling from his eyes as he said
"Take the stone and use it well
don't do as I did long ago"
Went into the sundown, never returned
The moon was rising and the heaven burned
Like shadows disappeared the men
and the black stone weilders were never seen again
Stone, they weilded the stone
in generation from father to son
A star, a star is to come
to light the way to the one who is born
Black stone weilder is born
They came across the western sea
with powers greater than needed
The wizards commanded the lightning
every creature knelt before their will
But they weilded the black stone with evil
and their evil was cast back on them
Damned to praise God forever
till His son was born to deliver
Stone, they weilded the stone
in generation from father to son
A star, a star is to come
to light the way to the one who is born

Under the Oak
Lyrics by Leif Edling

Deep was my anguish and for those words
they froze my blood and chained my soul
the master had spoken, the truth, not any lies
The devil gives and evil takes
the things in life that foresakes
a throne in hell, a price or a sacrifice?
Still the wind was blowing soft
and gentle here under the oak
which gave me shelter and rest for my trial
"I'm not strong, weak is my mind
a new biginning, where to find?
I'm the last one on earth, please forgive us our crime"
It was a time, when love was mine
now its time, to sacrifice
My heart, bleeding for my race
the traces of mankind was swept out by the hands of our lord
I cried, for the ones I had lost
Midnight in paradise, grief, away goes my hope
I cried for, the ones I had lost
"Hear my prayers, climbing on the clouds above
Silent cry, reach the inner halls of truth
Give me a sign!
A crimson sky, bless my eyes
up goes the sun, my time has come"

A Sorcerer's Pledge
Lyrics by Leif Edling

Time stands still in this ancient house
only the castle itself can tell what it keeps
Dark are the secrets between these walls
hidden in shadows of death while the sorcerer sleeps
Where is the morning?
Where is the sun?
A thousand years of midnight
the sunrise is gone
An old man marked by a life so long
sleeping so sweet while his magic is growing so strong
Waiting still for new times to come
a thousand years to see if he has won
Where is the morning?
Where is the sun?
A thousand years of midnight
the sunrise is gone
What has he done?
Why is he sleeping so long?
He wants to live forever more
Soon is he young
When will he open his eyes?
When he is strong enough to rule
Back in a time, goes the legend,
of a sorcerer so old
who drank the blood of virgins
to be reborn
Soon a tyrant will conquer, so spoke the wise
of a day when the sorcerer will rise
Rise
Blood is his wine
The sorcerer is cheating time
and he'll be stronger than before
Cursed be the sun
Women will weep for his fun
in the name of his magic so strong
Back in a time, goes the legend,
of a sorcerer so old
who drank the blood of virgins
to be reborn
Soon a tyrant will conquer, so spoke the wise
of a day when the sorcerer will rise
Rise
A thousand years are gone
armageddon hasn't come
only the cry of the child
echoes in the dark
Backwards goes time
as the stars are passing by
and nothing remains of this foolish man
except his fate

Nightfall

The Well of Souls
At the Gallows End
Samarithan
Dark are the Veils of Death
Mourner's Lament
Bewitched

The Well of Souls
Lyrics by Leif Edling

I bind unto myself
today the stong name of the trinity
Crypt of despair
the old man is there
forming a circle of magic and prayers
Guarding the well
the black whole to hell
its evil must never arise I can tell
Holy mission
forever he's sworn
to protoect our world from hatred and scorn
He will not fear
though the Sabbath is near
twelve strokes for Candlemass darkness descends
Chorus:
"Break the circle and all hell comes loose
the well of souls must stay sealed
Ancient force of light against the dark
the well of souls must stay sealed"
Black wind turns out the candles
the air grows cold and threatening
Dark shadows wicked laughter
brings darkness to your heart
Behold the goat from Mendes
red burning evil eyes
Lord's prayer holy water
just faith can save you now
Disharmony, satanic serenade
Black symphony, a tribute to the plague
The twisted souls awakened by the chanting
Unchained at last, rise, they will now rise
A new days dawn, holy light
Sunlight redeems
slays the dark, warms and heals, makes you
see nightmares terror is back in your dreams
Sleep well my friend 'cause
the tale's now to end, don't
believe our world's as safe as we pretend
Chorus:
"Break the circle and all hell comes loose
the well of souls must stay sealed
Ancient force of light against the dark
the well of souls must stay sealed"

The Gallows End
Lyrics by Leif Edling

Sunrise I greet you, the beauty of your light
so warm and tender was never the night
In tears I see you, the last time it will be
so give me your blessing, I'll meet my destiny
No rest for the Sinner
Hypnos refused me my sleep
This was the last night of my life
with wine I pondered on my deeds
I drank to the devil with servants
It's good with a friend where you go
No one would share my last chalice
So I drink to the ones that I know
Ring brother, ring for me
Ring the bells of hope and faith
Ring for my damnation
I am at the gallows end
With sad emotions, I sing this epitaph
my swansong, my headstone, the farewell of my heart
The hills of Tyburn, up where the gallows stand
only the vultures will come to see me hang
Behold the sight of my Golghata
the gallows enlightened by the moon
proud of his art are the carpenter
his creation a tool for my doom
I am the outcast no winner
I am the fallen the one
that have lived all his life as a sinner
The Tempter has called me his son
Ring brother, ring for me
Ring the bells of hope and faith
Ring for my damnation
I am at the gallows end
Soon it is time the dark has now fled
and I see the place for my death
the priest he will pray for my lost soul
I'm sure he's wasting his time
A sinner, a fool or a devil
or just a victim of life
It's no fun to burn in hell's fire
but I sure have enjoyed my life
Ring brother, ring for me
Ring the bells of hope and faith
Ring for my damnation
I am at the gallows end

Samarithan
Lyrics by Leif Edling

One day I saw a man
dressed in rags, with a staff in his hand
begging for a penny to survive
How poor a man can be
I gave him hospitality
a room, a bed and lots of food to eat
Still I hear his last few words
"I can never return what you've done
but heaven will remember and repay"
Fifty years had gone since I saw him
I was dying and I'd soon be dead
Three angels stood in front of my bed
The first one she said to me, don't be afraid
I'll give you immortality and grace for your soul
The second had eyes of gold, gave me my wings
The third gave all wisdom an angel could give
... to me
I joined with my destiny
I knew I was born again, an angel to be
A vision beyond my dreams, called me by name
So in devotion I spread my wings, to heaven I had came
... to stay

Dark are the Veils of Death
Lyrics by Leif Edling

Death is present the candle has burned out
the scythe is raised he's eager to reap
the extreme unction prepares for the last night
but God knows where you will rest
Dark are the veils of death
To sail the seas of eternal damnation
to cross the desert of woe and despair
or drink the chalice of divine ambrosia
Your life will be put to the test
Dark are the veils of death
Enter the great adventure
just wait and see
Heaven or hell will call you
now when you spirit is free
Chorus:
Where can your salvation be
now when your spirit is free
where can your salvation be
now when your spirit is free
Fading light
disappearing night
tells you darkness is to come
Ancient rites
the death-mass itself
has never revealed where you will go
You will enter realms where angels fear to tread
open hidden door within your mind
Sail with Charon sail with destiny
accept your death and make it your own choice

Mourner's Lament
Lyrics by Leif Edling

Let me stay here by your side
be one with you my precious child
Let me cover your bed with tears
I will save you from all fears
I burn the candles for your soul
I sing you prayers as the preacher told
I bring you flowers, I dress in black
though I know this cannot give you back
Chorus:
I sleep by your shadow
remembering your light
In my heart
I'm with you every night
Far goes your journey
into the unknown
wherever you might be
be well my son
Why just you my flesh and blood
I cannot live nor understand
my dearest treasures to be found
six feet under in sacred ground
Watch me bleed you lucky ones
I envy you your living sons
I'll give mine the strength of my faithful breath
I will mourn him to my death

Bewitched
Lyrics by Leif Edling

Can't you see, the devil in me
just take a look in my eyes
I will play for you, this wicked melody
it's magic will reach for your soul
It burns inside, no place to hide
this strange tune possesses your mind
It comes over you, and the nightmare is true
you'll enter the realm of the dark
You are bewitched ...
Bewitched by delight, you'll reach the night
dancing and singing to my fiddle
So take my hand, and understand
that no-one will see you again
You are bewitched ...
I am the master of the enchanted true
I'll play for your joy, for your soul, for your doom
My fingers they dance upon the strings like fire
weaving a spell of my burning desire
Sing with me, meet your destiny
set yourself free to the magic
So come with me, my kingdom to see
believe me you're captured my friend
You are bewitched ...

Ancient Dreams

Mirror Mirror
A Cry From the Crypt
Darkness in Paradise
Incarnation of Evil
Bearer of Pain
Ancient Dreams
The Bells of Acheron
Epistle No. 81

Mirror Mirror
Lyrics by Leif Edling

Mirror mirror upon the wall
magic demon eye
a realm of madness awakened by the call
Speak the ancient words of mages
try to take control
the essence of evil, a challenge for your soul
The battle of minds
the riddle the rhymes
beware of the darkness behind
Usurped and enslaved
redeemed and betrayed
the devil in the mirror, obey!
Iridescent pulsating light
glowing in its heart
the surface is reflecting nightmares of your mind
Green mist swirling deep within
a dark dimension takes form
the grip of clawed hands drags you inside
The battle of minds
the riddle the rhymes
beware of the darkness behind
Usurped and enslaved
redeemed and betrayed
the devil in the mirror, obey!
Enchanted with powers to conquer your soul
good or evil, it won't mind
The mirror of darkness is blind
Feel the prescence, the voice of the dark
breaks the balance, intrudes your mind
try to deny, oh master of fools
captured forever, the loser learns the rules

A Cry From the Crypt
Lyrics by Leif Edling

Hear the cry
the cry of tormented pain
a voice darker than evil
the deadly moaning of hell
Oh no!
the unborn has tasted no light
Sharing the rest of the dead
not aware of the years that go by
Lurking in the shadows
twisted shape of creeping terror
guarding something special
gone since ages, dead and buried
... dead and buried
There's a cry from the crypt
There's a cry from the crypt
It has been there for a thousand years
a lonely, lost and suffering soul
shedding all its black tears
faithful beyond death
cries of pain you hear
from the crypt below
the one the being loved so much
has turned into dust

Darkness in Paradise
Lyrics by Leif Edling

I'm standing here in silence
this grateful place of peace
watching the shadows come closer
The birds they sing no longer
the winds they blow no more
with fear of death I'm waiting for the night to fall
The sun will set forever
one after one they stars they die
the rainbow has turned to black
darkness has fallen in paradise
Love is lost in memories
all beauty and all light
have vanished from the garden of delight
The devil and his gift
the heart he stole away
but innocence was lost long ago
The morning will come no more
our dreams are all gone
midnight has come to stay
darkness has fallen in paradise
Oh father please forgive us
forgive us all our sins
please bring your light again to lead our way
but my prayers are not answered
they fade out to die
and so does the last gleam of hope
The morning will come no more
our dreams are all gone
midnight has come to stay
darkness has fallen in paradise
I know my death is near
far beyond my dreams
my fate is waiting
to show me the light ... I believe

Incarnation of Evil
Lyrics by Leif Edling

"Edge of time, the dawn of our heaven
all is black, the return of the fallen angel
amongst us, a devil in disguise
the preacher of the wicked
establishing his kingdom"
A million souls so lost and damned
alive but not so well
and the devil raised his hand
and sent them down to hell
Just like your father held your hand
he's watching over his creed
Damnation and death, they'll burn in flames
no matter how they plead
To you, coming for your soul
Just like a shepherd assembling his floack
this one rules hells domain
Satanic force, Lucifers power
attack, and he will reign
To you, coming for your soul
Into the night we will go
Into the night we will go
Out from the night he comes
saviour but black
"won't you come, come and join us?"
You had better!
There's no time to beg for mercy
the devil says no. no
You'll be his faithful servant
this time, on earth
Black is the devil, Antichrist
the Tempter damned your birth
Listen to the wicked, sell your soul
forever hell awaits
Into the night we will go

Bearer of Pain
Lyrics by Leif Edling

Once a year the white robes go on a quest
In search of a virgin, a child of innocence
Born of Apollon, divine is the heritage
chosen by foe to accomplish a holy task
Bearer of pain, Bearer of pain
lighten the burdens of woe
Bearer of pain, Bearer of pain
heal the wounds of the city
I bear your weight upon my shoulders
I bleed for you and pray
I hear your moaning in my mind
I comfort night and day
From my tower to your foundations
my soul reaches through your walls
Market square of guarded bastions
I answer to your calls
The tears of the city wiped away by summer breeze
the pain is lightened by sweet, sweet dreams
The cries of despair are silenced with a lullaby
sleep my child, I'm with you, we are one
Bearer of pain
Now a year, her chamber is opened again
led by servants, the old one is barely sane
Marked by her burdens, the guardian can finally rest
replaced by another, carrying on the continuing test

Ancient Dreams
Lyrics by Leif Edling

Reach deep within where reality is hard to find
search in the corners of the wondering mazesof your mind
Seek out the treasures that open doors that some keep sealed
believe in your dreams and a wonderworld will be revealed
Come to the boundless land somewhere inside your fantasies
built by dreams and magic, the secret place that none have seen
Chase the horizons, catch the illusion
remember the child within
There's no tomorrow just sadness and sorrow
hold on to the Ancient Dreams
Great kings and tyrants, unicorns and elflords
devils and demons, dungeons and dragons
Phoenix is rising up from the ashes in the wind
born into glory, then back to ashes once again
High flies the dragon, the ruler of the seven skies
riding the winds, not knowing that he just can't die
Chase the horizons, catch the illusion
remember the child within
There's no tomorrow just sadness and sorrow
hold on to the Ancient Dreams
See how the wizard cast his spell with maddened eyes
using his magic to reach the heavenly skies
Witness the alchemist turning all his lead to gold
try after try, begging that his fantasy will hold
See how the rainbow bends its shape into the sea
follow the sign and your dreams will be reality
Chase the horizons, catch the illusion
remember the child within
There's no tomorrow just sadness and sorrow
hold on to the Ancient Dreams

The Bells of Acheron
Lyrics by Leif Edling

A distant calling, a faint echo from the past
the bells are still tolling, the message of sadness and death
In the city of Acheron
the priests burned the Book
worshipped false Gods
scoffed at the good
desecrated the altar
spat on the cross
teared down the temples
and laughed at their loss
of faith ... of faith
Stone by stone, the ringing goes on and on
attracting a memory, forgotten and nowhere to be found
Forged by the mighty
admired by the great
once blessed by the holy
protected* by fate
Announcing the twilight
the wrath of the Gods
the city of Acheron
was drowned by the flood
The bells of Acheron
* Abandoned 2nd verse

Epistle No. 81

Mark how our shadow, mark Movits mon fre're
one small darkness encloses
How gold and purple that shovel there
to rags and rubbish disposes
Charon beckons from tumultous waves
then trice this ancient digger of graves
for thee ne're grapeskin shall glister
wherefore my Movits come help me to raise
a gravestone over our sister
Even deserous and modest abode
under the sighing branches
where time and death, a marriage forebode
'twixt beauty and ugliness ashes
To thee ne're jealousy findeth her way
nor happiness footstep, swift to stray
filleth amid these barrows
e'en enmity armed, as thou seest this day
piously breaketh her arrow
The little bell echoes the great bells groan
roved in the door the precentor
noisome with quiristers prayerful moan
blesses those, who enter
The way to this templed city of tombs
climbs amid roses yellowing blossoms
fragments of mouldering briers
till black-clad each mourner, his station assumes
bows there deeply in tears

Tales of Creation

The Prophecy
Dark Reflections
Voices in the Wind
Under the Oak
Tears
The Edge of Heaven
Somewhere in Nowhere
Through the Infinitive Halls of Death
Dawn
A Tale of Creation

The Prophecy
Lyrics by Leif Edling

"Holy was the star from which you were born
to a world where darkness and fear take form
A lonely sould with a heart of light to find
beyond reality, forgotten in time
Seek the heart, seek in your dreams
visit your nightmares and realms yet unseen
You are alone, the last one to be
a representative for mankind to decide the final destiny
Will you be saved or will you stay blind
deep in your soul the answer you'll find"
The words were spoken, I cried in my hands
the bringer of wisdom, or the one who condemns
Can I succeed where the mighty have failed
and re-create the harmony from where salvation hails

Dark Reflections
Lyrics by Leif Edling

A black star fell down the night I was born
a last chance to save us, a last chance to turn dusk to dawn
The vultures they cried out their welcome to greet my arrival
the shadows they danced for my deathat the nightmares trial
The demons of fear tearing my sad soul apart
a horned winged creative laughed out its scorn to the dawn
The sun wasn't able to send down its light, swallowed by thoughts in my mind
Dark was my conscience, I was the last of my kind
Chorus: I was dead
awake in hell
A lonely corpse
to break the spell
A soul in flames
a heart in chains
Can't you see
You must believe ...
The witchbrew was drained, I couldn't escape my fate
wrong was this place full with awful disgrace and hate
Sweet ancient memories, fragments of times that have passed
came to my mind like a blessing with grace for my eyes
Chorus

Voices in the Wind
Lyrics by Leif Edling

North is cold, summer is late
South is sorrow, surrounded by hate
West is far, a dream you are creating
East is here, and your fate is awaiting

Under the Oak
Lyrics by Leif Edling

Tears
Lyrics by Leif Edling

My tears were flowing down to the ground
a sad stream of silver is a mournin' mans gold
And where the seeds of sorrow soon were found
a flower of light, the omen saw the world
Chorus: Step into the dreams of wonder
Open up the gates of wonder
Stare into the face of wonder
Free yourself from the spell you're under now!!!
I blessed the sign yes my prayers were heard
I laughed as I watched that tiny thing grow
Over the rainbow and up to the stars
A tower of dreams, waiting to come true
Chorus
I saw this divine gate between the worlds
waiting for me to take away my soul
I was no longer what I was before
A chosen one that opened up the door
Chorus

The Edge of Heaven
Lyrics by Leif Edling

A shapeless form
A mindless soul
Senseless with no control
Eyes so closed
A heart that sleeps
A memory, a thought that is gone
I am born
Still I'm no more
A dying illusion
In the dream I am fading
"Oh Lord! This must be heaven"
tears in my eyes
A sweet dream bathing in sunlight
never to end
Shapes of angels
visions of grace
Promised love and delight
Let me be, let me be
At the edge of Heaven
There at the edge of heaven
where darkness begins
Twilight was calling my name
A cry in the night
I felt a chill in my heart
come to me
Somebody danced on my grave
Let me be, let me be
A faceless shadow
A blinded fool
Lost in the twilight zone
Dream or madness
Heaven or hell
A riddle a key to the spell
I am born
Still I'm no more
A dying illusion
In the dream I am fading

Somewhere in Nowhere
Lyrics by Leif Edling

Here I am
In this strange world
A different universe
Nowhere in time
I'm captured in my dreams
On this lonely journey
To find the morning light
To be me
Eternal life
Beyond the death we know
A restless soul
But am I dead?
This labyrinth
of my own feelings
A misty ocean
But where's the shore?
I know that I exist
But somehow I don't
Can't find the morning light
Can't be me
Here I am
In this strange world
A different universe
Nowhere in time
Lost in nowhere, timeless prison
Will I ever find the reason
I wish that I could escape this dream
Can I ever return to reality

Through the Infinitive Halls of Death
Lyrics by Leif Edling

I know that my old life is ending
very soon I'll lose my breath
But raise up high or slow descending
Death is a forecourt to hell, where the lost of humanity dwell
Through the shadows of my soul
walking in an endless cave
searching for a deep black hole
to find my destiny or grave
Death is a forecourt to hell, where the lost of humanity dwell
Doomed to hell
Misery and death, pain and sorrow
The air was poisoned by the smell of burning flesh
I saw the beast
A great shadow surrounded by black demons
Satan he laughed as he saw me burn

Dawn
Lyrics by Leif Edling

Suddenly I awoke, I must have fallen asleep under the oak,
where I used to sit and dream as a child
The dawn was soon to come, and the air was crisp and cold
Yet I felt warm
I remembered my strange dreams and knew I had the strength and
love in my heart to create something from my life. The world was waiting
I was reborn

A Tale of Creation
Lyrics by Leif Edling

On that day, the day of birth
in the morning, that dawn of time
I sat down to rest a moment
when a song came to mind
As I sat there I could feel it
from within the magic came
With my voice the mountains rose
with my breath came lovely air
With my tears the rain fell down
with the rain came the sea
With my blessing the first rose spread out
with my feelings innocence
With my song the sun was born
out of darkness giving life
From my heart came love and joy
and all the beauty you could find
With my tears the rain fell down
with the rain came the sea
With my blessing the first rose spread out
with my feelings innocence
In solitude, a song was born
By magic our dreams were living on
A heart of light was found, it brought delight
to my soul. My faith had made me whole ...... again
In passion I saw the light
a soul filled with harmony
The creation of a new world
my anthem my symphony
I sat there to watch the dawn
all the birds began to sing
I left my song to rise and grow
It was time for me to grow
With my tears the rain fell down
with the rain came the sea
With my blessing the first rose spread out
with my feelings innocence
In solitude a song was born
By magic our dreams were living on
A heart of light was found, it brought delight
to my soul. My soul had made me whole ...... again

Chapter VI

The Dying Illusion
Julie Laughs No More
Where the Runes Still Speak
Ebony Throne
Temple of the Dead
Aftermath
Black Eyes
The End of Pain

The Dying Illusion
Lyrics by Leif Edling

From the bottom of the pit of nightmares she will come
from the dungeons of insanity to haunt the wicked mind
A crooked finger points, a spell is cast, words can kill
a weaver of the web of tears, a daughter of the dark
Oh, the moon is so cold
see the grace of her presence
Giving you the poisoned apple, beauty or beast
dancing naked in the rain with eyes that cannot see
Calling demons that have not spoken ina thousand years
old sad eyes of wisdom tell of dreams we can't reach
When the moon is so cold
when the air breathes of evil
And the black skies will burn
see her shadow is rising
The dying illusion
the loss of a friend
The dying illusion
please come back again
The hideous smile of the devils child will tease you to believe
a forbidding shape witch or virgin - over a sinister moon
Fatal grace that blinds and binds, assaults and astounds
from the cradle of eternity to the fears of modern man
When the moon is so cold
when the air breathes of evil
and the black skies will burn
see her shadow is rising
The dying illusion
the loss of a friend
The dying illusion
please come back again

(The Dying Illusion) Julie Laughs No More
Lyrics by Lars Johansson and Leif Edling

Julie's on the run so far away from home
a tiny little cottage in the woods
Hunting wolves are chasing this delicious mouse
where she went we never understood
Nothing really matters anymore
No Julie longer knocks on our door
a fallen princess bends her head in shame
in the end there's no one else to blame
And she's falling
falling without reach
Julie's falling, lost in her dreams
Afraid to go, afraid to leave
Into the emptiness what there's to believe
Julie's on the beanstalk way up in the clouds
can't stop climbing, refuses to look down
the giant in his castle, laughs gives wonderous wows
she's cast into the stew without a sound

Where the Runes Still Speak
Lyrics by Leif Edling

Rain and thunder, fire and wind
come with me, I leave with the tide
I wrap my coat closer 'round my shoulders
to keep me warm from the raging storm
The spirits are here to guide my journey
over the edge of the world
A thousand wounds cry in my soul
love and pain, a bleeding heart
WHERE THE RUNES STILL SPEAK
I'M COMING HOME
WHERE THE RUNES STILL SPEAK
Alone I stand on this stony coast
winds of spring whisper through the trees
The grey horizon gives me life again
ice and stone, the voices of the gods
No woman can show me where the fire burns
no preacher can tell me who I am
My blood is calling me from Asaland
I'm on my way home in the end
WHERE THE RUNES STILL SPEAK
I'M COMING HOME
WHERE THE RUNES STILL SPEAK
A homeward son will claim his heritage
Walk the soil of his earth
The pen will be his mighty sword
and the truth his defense
I've traveled roads that lead to wonder
I've seen cities rise and fall
The burden, the cross of a pilgrim
I bear no more, the son is coming home
WHERE THE RUNES STILL SPEAK
I'M COMING HOME
WHERE THE RUNES STILL SPEAK
You closed the door, but I won't give in
somewhere a new life will begin
Countless treasures I shared with you
the only one left is my solitude
WHERE THE RUNES STILL SPEAK
I'M COMING HOME
WHERE THE RUNES STILL SPEAK

Ebony Throne
Lyrics by Leif Edling

Where's the muses cave
the isle of the dead
The sign of Eph is gone
so is the sun
Tired and confused
I sail into the night
With the devil at my shoulder
I'll be fine
I ride the straits of darkness
everyday
No light will lead my way
from my pain
Drowned in tideless pools
no haven for my mind
In grief I meet the storm
eye to eye
On the ebony throne
lies the dragonstone
My voyage to vanity
oh, take me there
To the ebony throne
I followed the sirensong
+No enlightened society
can bring me back
In the maelstrom of minds
like a will-o-the=wisp
I sail on ...
I sail the depths of apathy
alone
The world is fading
I'm a long way from home
Where's the muses cave
the island of the dead
The sign of Eph is gone
so is the sun
+No progressive technology

Temple of the Dead
Lyrics by Leif Edling

A hymn for the praise of the setting sun
in ancient egypt my home
Child of Horus catch the morningstar
to the Elysian fields we will go
The god at the top of the staircase
the usurper that weighs our hearts
In your court I deliver my soul
to be coming forth by day
North, south, east and west
My bones lay all around
My shadow will soon get rest
to higher ground I'll be bound
In the temple of the dead
In the temple of the dead
I am the moongod who dwelleth among the dead
I shall not perish in heaven or on earth
I've cleft the horizon, I've passed through the underworld
I have divided the heavens and scattered the gloom of night
To sail the northern heaven
with the sacred eye of stars
The white crown I bear forever
the immortality of my soul
In the temple of the dead
In the temple of the dead

Aftermath
Lyrics by Leif Edling

Black inferno, chaos reigns supreme
a cancerous growth spreading out the dark
Leaving the wounded land in ashes
A civilization in ruins and decay
Whores and scavengers violating the dead
like a filthy flock of hungry wolves
Tortured shapes of steel against the sky
the eve of destruction, the final tragedy
Nothing left to admire
Nuclear war and the aftermath
Down in flames, a rain of fire
Time has run out

Black Eyes
Lyrics by Leif Edling

Every night outside my window, she is there
a frozen shadow in the street
Surrounded by silence and unspoken terror
hell on high heels
Demonic hunger, a mistress from the grave
welcome, she smiles
The poisoned smell of her sexuality
says love me to death
I can't resist the fear
her deadly demands
Desires of the flesh
what she commands
I cannot move, I cannot run, I cannot hide
hypnotized like a fool
Eyes of floating coal and dancing firelight
oh, hell's own delight
She has got me engulfed by her nature
a slave under her will
In her grasp she is boiling my blood
in for the kill
I can't resist the fear
her deadly demands
Desires of the flesh
what she commands
Black eyes, the crystals of fire are calling my soul
Black eyes, the burning desire is talking control
Oh no, what can I do. Can't resist ... those black eyes

The End of Pain
Lyrics by Lars Johansson and Leif Edling

In the wintercold I see the blood
clotting slowly in the snow
Unsung heroes cry in the night
may they die before dawn
Broken banners mourn fallen crowns
grieving swords lay all around
As the swansong touches the mountainside
unseeing eyes look at you
Can't you hear it
hear the sorrows vail
Oh, can't you see it
the newborn day
Impaled hearts welcome the end of pain
black blood releasing warrior souls
Vultures circle 'round the fields of grief
another graveyard, another tale
Can't you hear it
hear the sorrows vail
Oh, can't you see it
the newborn day