From the 11th to the 13th century a particular religion sect was allowed to grow in the Langedoc region of France. Calle Catharism this dualist thinking religion flourished, not only with the poor but also people like the Counts of Toulouse and the great Esclarmonte of Foix.
In the early part of the 13th century the pope petitioned the king to form a crusade and vanquish the heretics. This petitioning finally led to the Albigensian Crusade.
A Force of Knights and Mercenaries besieged the Cathars and in a massive pyre at Montsegur massacred some 200 of them, virtually eliminating Catharism in Southern France...
heresy
the beginning - How the believers of the dualist theory turned their backs on catholicism and found their own methods of embracing God..
They started on a distant shore
the rich believing with the poor
fighting, striving hard to seek
a higher power with something else to say
Spreading their belief
praying for a life
it's the perfect way
but to the church it's just called heresy
Heresy
Heretics, that and nothing more
daring to renege on our gods law
It's wrong for them to feel this way
detrimental for the soul
help them through this time
disregard this lies
They say the perfact way
but to the church it's just called heresy
Heresy
yeah.. choose!
Cathars gaining more control
the choice is free, us or holy Rome
join with us you'll see the light
we have a holy right
it's the perfect way
but to the church it's just called heresy
Heresy
Heresy
Heresy
choose!
search for perfection
How, through their beliefs, the cathars tried to achieve a state of perfection..
Search!
we can't eat no flesh no fowl
slleping around is out
women are against the roles
fornication frowned upon
We live by the law
wrapped in this world
nobody wavers
nobody strays
Lonely nights and lonely days
are looked upon as right
but lonely days and lonely nights
are a symbol of our fight
No cause has lived
so strict in it's rules
a life filled with pain
a path to our god
a road to the right
long does it wind
a long way to go, way to go, evermore
Search for perfection
our creed self control
Search for perfection
our life for the cause
Priests talk like jesus wrote
everythig is right
we talk of John the Lord
we think were right
Our John the brave
lights up our way
teach by example
shake off the scorn
join us this day
wa have the strenght
our road is straigth, to the Lord it's the way
Search for perfection
our creed self control
Search for perfection
for this we will die
No other way is any good
life doesn't last
our belief is heaven sent
forgive us our past
What we do now is good
not what we did then
we dedicate ourself to help
our welfare comes last
follow our road,
find a new world
a search for perfection
in the eyes of the Lord
Join us on our way
help us through this day
try to break away from the roman captivity..
Search for perfection
a perfect mind
search for perfection
a perfect life
killtime
the thinking of the knights and mercenaries as they fought the cathars, how they were paid for forty days at a time..
Before the sun goes down they'll scream
heretics, cower, our blades are sharp for thee
We'll put you to the sword
or hang you from a tree
KILLTIME, bloodlust, no time to pray
Heretic
voices
we don't give a damn
you're all gonna die
forty days
that's all we're paid for
forty days
longer if you want us to stay
forty days
that's what you paid for our hire
forty days
no more
fighting every day
in this holy war
KILLTIME, bloodshed, let loose the dogs of war
your heretic beliefs with which we don't agree
our sword thirst to end your day
Heretics
hearsay
Hope your gods are with you
watching as you die
forty days
to destroy the aura around you
forty days
to put an end to your lives
forty days
we're just soldiers for hire
forty days
no more
war!
mercenaries and knights
warriors of the north
KILLTIME, bloodlust, you will be no more
our sword will set you free from this mockery
KILLTIME, crush, our mandate is to slay
Cathars
vaudois
Why don't you face the true god
give up idolatry
forty days
we'll put you all to the fire
forty days
you'll then just be history
forty days
perhaps is what you desire
forty days
of death
crusaders revenge
The massed attack and slaughter of the people and city of Bezier's because the residents of that city killed a few of the crusaders..
To Beziers city
came a host from the far north
death riding at the head of this vast horde
at the bidding of the king
their sword began to sing
no living thing was safe from punity
Fly, as swords swing
you will die for our gods law
you will find no safety
within your city walls
we will come right through you
until your back's against the wall
Crusaders revenge
prepare to die
Crusaders revenge
destroy all the leaders
bring theire heads to me on a plate
seek out the kids and the wives
kill, kill them all
gods will decide on whom to blame
God will find his own among
the slayers and the slain
we're just here to butcher
not to keep the score
Who!
on this they the order
to slay was handed down from the king
kill everything that gets in your way
destroy all that live
hope and pray that none survive
we have been given orders
that no-one will remain
if one man is still standing
there'll be one to lay the blame
Crusaders revenge
prepare to die
Crusaders revenge
Crusaders revenge
prepare to die
Crusaders revenge
.....
the burning
how the crusaders burnt the cathars as punishmnet for their so called heretic beliefs
The final scene at the Bucher or the stake
gonna build a tower to burn
torch, a flaming brand, a pyric blazing scourge
Heretics clad in flames die in silence
it is no doubt the right way
the perfect way to go
an end to this damn heresy
an end to this damn war
Crowds watch and wait the spectacle unfolds
orgasmic in intensity their hate
look, feel the power as flesh begins to char
die now and speak your useless prayers
Yell for forgiveness
grovel in your shame
you'll find that your protector
won't save you from tha flames
Your vision of a brand new day
was ravaged by the war
fire is your just reward
ignomy your fate
Flames shall feed the fire
Flames shall purify
the church of Rome has issued this decree
flames destroy the works
flames destroy the liars
fire destroy the heresy we fear
So, if you don't see it our way this is what you get
war and flaming towers as reward
so renounce your teachings come back into the fold
the choice you have peace or holy war
it is no doubt the right way
the perfect way to go
an end to this damn heresy
an end to this damn war
burn if you desire
burn this very day
we have a thousand torches to help you on your way
burn if you desire
burn in silent rite
your heretics beliefs could even save you all
Ahh!
Heresy was to blame
for lives lost in the fire
the holy church in shame
for it's part in the history of THE BURNING
M.O.T.C. (massacre of the cathars)
The hatred that was shown by the crusaders for people who were basically peaceful and the extremes of torture and murder to rid France of the heretics..
Look out sentry, we're in a killing mood
don't stand in our way, don't try to slow us down
This is war, seek divinity
we only want to stop heresy
Terror, hatred, murder
Error, fateful, mistake
No need to shout boy, it won't save your skin now
it's best to prepare, the time must come for all
Terror, hatred, murder
Error, fateful, mistake
don't stop carry on ahead
don't stop till they are all dead
Minerve die
cathars fly
don't stop just swing that sword boy
no one to resist you just forge on
Massacre, heretics, cathars
murder, in the name, of the Lord
Blood flows like fire in my brain
Blood flows like water, reddened rain
won't you come and join us
praise and rejoice us, more
If we don't act and win this war
this heretic bastards will be knocking at your door
Massacre, heretics, cathars
murder, in the name, of the Lord
If we do not end this blasphemy
the war will reign for centuries
Keep our church free..
we will massacre these Cathars and make sure
serenity
A short poem about the Castle that was home to the lyricists during writing of this album..
700 years of cold nights - it's been there
700 years of power - fading away
mysteries, enigmas steeped within it's walls
secret - hidden - never to be known
Like a massive guardian
crouched upon the hill
windows look like eyes
ramparts seem like teeth
A view of all around if sightless eyes could see
industrial madness encroaching on it's fief
insidious decay
nothing stops it's spread
Don't bring down these walls
don't destroy history
these old stones tell us so much
to fall would be an end to
Serenity
on the hill
Serenity
on the hill
See the life on the hills all around
keep destruction at Bay
don't surround us with modern things
let history survive, keep industry away
Warm summer nights
moonlight on the walls
worlds are at peace
let there be
Serenity
on the hill
Serenity
on the hill
Listen to the message, a voice from the past
heed it's warning, this monuments won't last
Help to stay the plight
of these ancient walls
no it's time to fight
they must not fall
See how they stand
so majestical and free
atched on the skyline
our heritage for free
Serenity
now's the time
Serenity
peace of mind
700 years on
How the events of the 13th century are remembered today, and does it really have any boaring on todays society..
A country splitered by religion
torn by anarchy
heretics burned for their derision
of the holy See
Seven, hundred years on
World, do you recall
just what happened then
gentlemen and gentlewomen
let into the pyre
Seven, hundred years ago
let's think images of war
Flashing sword, burning homes
the Albigensians crusade
see the ruins upon the hills
just seven hundred years on
so now in 1999
how much do we know
except for learned scholars
no one knows at all
Blind
apathy
forgotten
a part of history
Flashing sword, burning homes
the Albigensians crusade
see the ruins upon the hills
just seven hundred years on
Too blind to see that religion's free
believe what you believe
Established church still don't agree
seven hundred years on
Heresy a different route
from mother church in Rome
See us, we're hurting no one
why can't you leave us alone
Hunted
persued
burnt
marched into the fire
oh..... then!
