This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Darkness flees the rising sun
The village lies ahead
It will wake to a new day soon
Soon they'll all be dead
We came in cover of moonless night
Fifty men at arms
Now at first morning light
The church bell sounds the alarm
Sacrifice to Gods of old
Bleed them of their lives
Fresh blood on our swords
Gods of war arise
Sacrifice to Gods of old
Bleed them of their lives
Fresh blood on our swords
Gods of war arise
Hear the tortured screams
Shattering the air
They awake from soothing dreams
Into their worst nightmare
Fire sweeps their homes
They feel the dragon's breath
Consuming and destructive flames
Agonising death
Some seek shelter in the church
A refuge for those with faith
But we know how to smoke them out
A pyre will be raised
But those who choose to stand and fight
Will die with dignity
For the unfortunate few who survive
Waits a life in slavery
The day draws to an end
The night comes dark and cold
We return to our ships
With silver, slaves and gold
We gave them agony
As they fell and die
The Gods have granted victory
For our sacrifice
Solo: Mikkonen
The village lies ahead
It will wake to a new day soon
Soon they'll all be dead
We came in cover of moonless night
Fifty men at arms
Now at first morning light
The church bell sounds the alarm
Sacrifice to Gods of old
Bleed them of their lives
Fresh blood on our swords
Gods of war arise
Sacrifice to Gods of old
Bleed them of their lives
Fresh blood on our swords
Gods of war arise
Hear the tortured screams
Shattering the air
They awake from soothing dreams
Into their worst nightmare
Fire sweeps their homes
They feel the dragon's breath
Consuming and destructive flames
Agonising death
Some seek shelter in the church
A refuge for those with faith
But we know how to smoke them out
A pyre will be raised
But those who choose to stand and fight
Will die with dignity
For the unfortunate few who survive
Waits a life in slavery
The day draws to an end
The night comes dark and cold
We return to our ships
With silver, slaves and gold
We gave them agony
As they fell and die
The Gods have granted victory
For our sacrifice
Solo: Mikkonen
Lyrics submitted by Shimmergloom
Gods Of War Arise Lyrics as written by Olavi Mikkonen Ted Oscar Lundstroem
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Fuck your faith faggot.
^then don't listen to Amon Amarth. Pure and simple.
"They weren't burning churches down to denounce the faith, it was just a lack of understanding for what it was..."
If you are going to give a history lesson, at least have a clue what you are talking about. Vikings burned down churches and killed Christians directly to denounce their faith. Why? Because they had their own way of living for over 900 years before Christianity even existed and then when this new religion came along, all of a sudden, you had to believe what the Christians believed or face the consequences (Crusades, Spanish Inquisition, etc..). They were only doing so in a way of taking back what was originally theirs and fighting back against the Christians.
"Metalheads, listen up: your bands are artless and laughable. Your scene is composed of antisocial misfits, pretentious stoners, and moronic sociopaths. You look ridiculous to the outside world, your supposed angst and darkness and brutality are downright comedic, and you are walking punchlines for those of us with standards. Get a life, nerds."
Huh? What are you doing out of your cubicle, sheep? You never sound like this in public. Oh wait, that's because your a coward.
P.S.- Owned.
the intro on this song is epic. This song and Valhall Awaits Me would be great show openers
Let's grow up and be nice to each other now children...
This song seems to be about the pillaging of a village by (of course) the vikings. For those of you who don't know much about vikings, a church to a viking isn't a religious place (not trying to offend you laidback). They weren't burning churches down to denounce the faith, it was just a lack of understanding for what it was (and during this period, any building with men and women that wouldn't fight back if attacked is gold, considering the church then controlled a lot of the money). Anyway, this song is also talking about the glory of taking a village and reaping the rewards. Although this song is told from the glorious viewpoint, I'm also seeing the scary side to it. I could just imagine being peacefully sleeping, having a nice dream, and then waking up to a viking burning my house down and killing me when I walked out.
Great song by the way.
I applaud samwalton. This song is badass
Sam's not entirley right or wrong.. But don't go about acting like Zion doesn't know his history It doesn't state anywhere in the song that the attack was due to religion. The Vikings did in fact loot churches purely for the promised loot, (gold, silver plates, jewels, silver crosses) but they also did loot to destroy the threat of Christianity.
In my opinion this is either a group of very brutal vikings imposing a no tolerance to resistance, plundering all they can, and knowing their gods are proud for their actions. OR it's a group a vikings whose common choice of action towards christians is total destruction, looting, and they believe they're saving their gods for doing so.
all of you are of some semitic religion? or agnostics? hahaha, punks
I apologize for my mistake, I was told this in a history class so I assumed it was accurate.