Misericord

Misericord is actually a thin strong and very sharp blade. When a soldier used to get badly wounded in a battle in early days, it was used to mercy kill that soldier. It pretty thin but strong and very sharp so that it can penetrate the armour or the gaps between armour pieces to do what a sword or spear can't do.

From this perspective the it becomes somewhat clear that the song talks about the fate of a wounded crusading soldier who will be made to meet his maker, thanks to misericord.

I hold Cradle of Filth in very high respect and Dani's poetic abilities are far beyond a simpleton like me. May be that's what makes him all the more beautiful. Well, I did not exactly understand all parts, enough to give clear cut explanation. Whatever little I did are given below

Nightmares on a roll The spirit of fear Has alighted here Mercy on your soul... This fright, crepuscular Is muscular with vitriol Wounded soldier is afraid for his life and a cruel fear has taken over. But his soul will be mercied upon

Misericord I support your faith When weary, in disgrace You fall to doubt and pull all life apart Religious warrior, now wounded, starts to have doubts about life overall. Misericord is here to help him end his life and get rid of the doubts.

On this mist-enshrouded pathway And through this hateful tarantella In this thin labyrinth of razors I shall grin, your soul's propeller May be it says - sweaty soldiers are going through hateful motions of killing the enemy. Misericord is laughing coz it will do what swords and spears failed to do ie end the life of soldier and propel his soul to the heavens.

Misericord Respite from the grief These spiteful nightfall teeth Grinding minds to tiny pieces Wounded, the soldier is going crazy out of sheer pain and misricord will help end that pain. I think that throbbing pain is referenced as "ever ticking beast"

Misericord I free you of the bond To pain, now flee beyond The veil of Death Where peace holds reign Crusader, bound by his faith, to fight till death but is NOT wounded badly enough to die quickly. Misericord is gonna help him get rid of this pain and he'll be at peace once he is dead.

Misericord I'm the killing stroke The dagger in your throat Under the armour Calmer with its gain Misericord strikes, sure to kill as it passes in between the gaps of the armour. As it plunges further into the throat, the soldier will be calmer after death.

Enemies take control The swarming hordes Have stormed the walls Mercy on your soul... Tonight I close your eyes Before the temple falls The war is pretty much lost and a horrible fate awaits at the enemy's hands. Misericord will bring death to this soldier before the enemy at the gates enters inside this building and takes him.