Dreams And Pyres

It's the darkened years
Superstition's flying high
There is pain, there is fear
In the poverty's sigh

Preachers on a frightening spree
Of demons and hell's fire
Warnings of the devil's decree
In all sinful desires

A boy have just arrived
An orphan he's become
From adultery and incest and witchery

To the seething alleys
Of quarrels and discord
A storm cloud has finally gathered

Discussions long into the night
About the dark one's diabolical scheme
Children, they listen and they dream
Well-fed nightmares of a similar theme

Imaginations out of control
For each morning they tell more and more
Summon the new boy for a watch
He has seen the signs of evil before

There is the devil's bride
Rode on the goat astride
God save us from Satan's firm hand!

There is the torture witch
Poked us with glowing sticks
God save us from Satan's allies!

In the name of the Lord, I'm harmless
Confess your sins to our Christ!
I can't confess to what children dream

Prejudiced tongues
Have twisted their minds before your eyes
Silence, you whore of the dark one
Save your soul and repent what you've done!

Accuse the poor
And get a tap on the head
You truly are a blessed child
She will burn in iron upon the stake

Accuse the countess
And get a slap in the face
You ought to know a noble's rank
She is too venerable for you, poor fool

Speed up the pace
Chanting the praise
Ever higher
Hysteric ball:
Sentence them all
To the fire!

One day the boy confessed his lies
I know nothing about
The witches ways
One after one they all came forth
Rather informers than burn
At the end of the day

There is the wicked tongue
From indolence it sprung
God, save us from sinister minds!

There is the fiendish flock
All limbs are chained and locked
God, save us from sinister minds!

There is the serpent's fang
From where the evil sprang
God, save him from the dark of hell!

There is a boy aflame
Ending his fancied game
God, save him from Satan's demons!