Keep the Old Road Open

Ash rides the wind across the

empty plain

Hoof strikes sparks from the frozen

grain

Red thread tied around your wrist

Salt on your lips,

a vow unkissed The river hides

beneath its skin You raise the

blade, we ride within Hold fast,

sister, hold fast,

brother One dark field,

one blood,

one thunder

Ride through the black grass,

carry the flame Call every fallen

by their true name When the

iron sky bends low and wide

We keep the old road open

tonight

A wooden wheel groans by the

gate The watchman counts but cannot

wait Dust fills the mouth of

the eastern road We bear our

dead and their heavy load

No chain can turn the rider

back

Under the hill,

the berry bells Ring through the

roots where the cold earth swells

If I go down,

take this song Let it guard

the ones who still ride on

Ride through the black grass,

carry the flame Call every fallen

by their true name Past broken

fences, past fields of wide We

keep the old road open tonight

The flame grows still,

the embers breathe Your hand finds

mine beneath the wreath