Beyond all nightmares I met my fate
an ancient passage surrounded by hate
scared I was with my hand on my cross
I went into the demons gate
Across the Styx among the mists of Hades
a gate of stones marks the path
to soul's damnation and hell's wrath

Ancient evil is awaiting there
at the doorstep to hell
within it's darkness the demons dwell
From the dark age the passage hail
created by witchcraft and hate
where every sinner will meet his fate

The place is cursed by the hands of doom
unholy powers in reign
the devil's paradise of pain
Approach !
The Eibon opens for you
the choirs of damnation, call you on through
The twilight possesses, the heart of your soul
the starlight is fading to black, into the
Demons gate
				

Deep was my anguish for those words
they froze my blood and chained my soul
the master had spoken, the truth, not any lies
The devil gives and evil takes
the things in life that man forsakes
a throne in hell, a price or a sacrifice?

Still the wind was blowing soft
and gentle here under the oak
which gave me shelter and rest for my trial

"I'm not strong, weak is my mind
a new beginning, where to find?
I'm the last one on earth, please forgive us our crime"
It was a time, when love was mine
now it's time, to sacrifice
My heart, bleeding for my race
the traces of mankind swept out by the hands of our lord
I cried, for the ones I had lost
Midnight in paradise, grief, away goes my hope
I cried for, the ones I had lost
"Hear my prayers, climbing on the clouds above

Silent cry, reach the inner halls of truth
Give me a sign!
A crimson sky, bless my eyes
up goes the sun, my time has come
(It has come)"
				

[Part I]

Time stands still in these ancient halls
Only the castle itself can tell what it keeps
Dark are the secrets between these walls
hidden in shadows of death, while the sorcerer sleeps

Where is the morning
where is the sun
Thousand years of midnight
the sunrise is gone
An old man marked by a life so long

Is sleeping so sweet while his magic is growing so strong
Waiting still for new times to come
a thousands years to see if he has won

Where is the morning
where is the sun
A thousand years of midnight

the sunrise is gone
I
What has he done ?
Why is he sleeping so long ?
He wants to live for evermore

Soon is he young
n will he open his eyes ?
When he is strong enough to rule

Back in our time goes the legend
of a sorcerer so old
He drank the blood of the virgin to be reborn
Soon a tyrant will conquer
So spoke the wise
of the day when the sorcerer will rise

Blood is his wine
The sorcerer is cheating on time
and he'll be stronger than before

Cursed be the sun
the women will weep for his fun
In the name of his magic so strong

[Part II]
A thousand years have gone
Armageddon hasn't come
Only the cry of a child echoes in the dark
wards goes time
as the stars are passing by
and nothing remains of this foolish man except his fate
				

I bind unto myself
today the strong name of the trinity

Crypt of despair
the old man is there
forming a circle of magic and prayers

Guarding the well
the black hole to hell
its evil must never arise I can tell
Holy mission
forever he's sworn
to protect our world from hatred and scorn
He will not fear
though the Sabbath is near
twelve strokes for Candlemass darkness descends

[Chorus:]
"Break the circle and all hell comes loose
the well of souls must stay sealed
Ancient force of light against the dark
the well of souls must stay sealed"
Black wind turns out the candles
the air grows cold and threatening
Dark shadows wicked laughter
brings darkness to your heart
Behold the goat of Mendes
red burning evil eyes
Lord's prayer holy water
only faith can save you now

Disharmony, satanic serenade
Black symphony, a tribute to the plague
The twisted souls awakened by the chanting
Unchained at last, rise, they will now rise

A new day's dawn, holy light
Sunlight redeems
slays the dark, warms and heals, makes you
see nightmares' terror is back in your dreams
Sleep well my friend 'cause
this tale's now to end, don't
believe our world is as safe's we pretend

[Chorus:]
"Break the circle and all hell comes loose
the well of souls must stay sealed
Ancient force of light against the dark
the well of souls must stay sealed"
				

Death is present the candle has burned out
the scythe is raised he's eager to reap
the extreme unction prepares for the last flight
but God knows where you will rest
Dark are the veils of death

To sail the seas of eternal damnation
to cross the desert of woe and despair
or drink the chalice of divine ambrosia
Your life will be put to the test
Dark are the veils of death

Enter the great adventure
just wait and see
Heaven or hell will call you
now when your spirit is free

[Chorus:]
Where can your salvation be
now when your spirit is free
where can your salvation be
now when your spirit is free
Fading light
disappearing light
tells you darkness is to come
Ancient rites
the death-mass itself
has never revealed where you will go
You will enter realms where angels fear to tread
open hidden doors within your mind
Sail with Charon sail into destiny
accept your death and make it to your own choice

[repeat 4th verse]

[repeat 1st verse]

[repeat 3rd verse]

[Chorus]
				

Reach deep within where reality is hard to find
Search in the corners of the winding mazes of your mind
Seek out the treasures that open doors that some keep sealed
Believe in your dreams and a wonderworld will be revealed
Come to the boundless land somewhere inside your fantasies
Built by dreams and magic the secret place that none have seen

Chase the horizons, catch the illusion
Remember the child within
There's no tomorrow just sadness and sorrow
Hold on to the Ancient Dreams

Great kings and tyrants, unicorns and elflords
Devils and demons, dungeons and dragons
Phoenix is rising up from the ashes of the wind
Born into glory, then back to ashes once again
High flies the dragon, the ruler of the seven skies
Riding the winds, not knowing that he just can't die

Chase the horizons, catch the illusion
Remember the child within
There's no tomorrow just sadness and sorrow
Hold on to the Ancient Dreams

See how the wizard cast his spell with maddened eyes
Using his magic to reach the heavenly skies
Witness the alchemist turning all his lead to gold
Try after try, begging that his fantasy will hold
See how the rainbow bends it shape into the sea
Follow the sign and your dreams will be reality

Chase the horizons, catch the illusion
Remember the child within
There's no tomorrow just sadness and sorrow
Hold on to the Ancient Dreams
				

Once a year the white robes go on a quest
In search of a virgin, a child of innocence
Born of Apollon divine is the heritage
Chosen by foe to accomplish a holy task

Bearer of pain, Bearer of pain
Lighten the burdens of woe
Bearer of pain, Bearer of pain
Heal the wounds of the city

Up in the tower, the nerve of the city so high
Treated like a princess,
But imprisoned by the will of her fate
Concentrating, feeling the pain how it flows
Through the walls of the city into her soul

Bearer of pain, Bearer of pain
Lighten the burdens of woe
Bearer of pain, Bearer of pain
Heal the wounds of the city

I bear your weight upon my shoulders
I bleed for you and pray
I hear your moaning in my mind
I comfort night and day
From my tower to your foundations
My soul reaches through your walls
Market square of guarded bastions
I answer to your calls

The tears of the city wiped away by summer breeze
The pain is lightened by sweet, sweet dreams
The cries of despair are silenced with a lullaby
Sleep my child, I'm with you, we are one

Bearer of pain

Now a year her chamber is opened again
Led by servants, the old one is barely sane
Marked by her burdens, the guardian can finally rest
Replaced by another, carrying on the continuing test
				

A black star fell down the night I was reborn
a last chance to save us, a last chance to turn dusk to dawn
The vultures they cried out their welcome to greet my arrival
the shadows they danced for my death at the nightmare's trial
The demons of fear tearing my sad soul apart
a horned winged creature laughed out its scorn to the dawn
The sun wasn't able to send down its light, swallowed by thoughts in my mind
Dark was my conscience, I was the last of my kind
Chorus: I was dead
awake in hell
A lonely corpse
to break the spell
A soul in flames
a heart in chains
Can't you see
You must believe...
The witchbrew was drained, I couldn't escape my fate
wrong was this place full with awful disgrace and hate
Sweet ancient memories, fragments of times that have passed
came to my mind like a blessing with grace for my eyes
				

[I. Dance Of The Fay]
[II. Magic / Entering The Tower]
[III. Dance Of The Fay (Reprise)]
[IV. Soulsflight]
[V. Towards The Unknown]
[VI. Choir Of Angels]
[VII. Outside The Gates Of Heaven]
				

Let me stay here by your side
Be one with you my precious child
Let me cover your bed with tears
I will save you from all fears
I burn the candles for your soul
I sing you prayers as the preacher told
I bring you flowers, I dress in black
Though I know this cannot give you back

[Chorus:]
I sleep by your shadow
Remembering your light
In my heart
I'm with you every night
Far goes your journey
Into the unknown
Wherever you might be
Be well my son

Why just you my flesh and blood
I cannot live nor understand
My dearest treasure to be found
Six feet under in sacred ground
Watch me bleed you lucky ones
I envy you your living sons
I'll give mine the strength of my faithful breath
I will mourn him to my death
				

Here I am
In this strange world
A different universe
Nowhere in time
I'm captured in my dreams
On this lonely journey
To find the morning light
To be me
Eternal life
Beyond the death we know
A restless soul
But am I dead?

(Lost in nowhere, timeless prison

Will I ever find the reason
I wish that I could escape this dream
Can I ever return to reality)

This labyrinth
Of my own feelings
A misty ocean
But where's the shore?

I know that I exist
But somehow I don't
Can't find the morning light
Can't be me

Here I am
In this strange world
A different universe
Nowhere in time

Lost in nowhere, timeless prison
				

One day I saw a man
dressed in rags, with a staff in his hand
begging for a penny to survive
How poor a man can be
I gave him hospitality
a room, a bed and lots of food to eat
Still I hear his last few words
"I can never return what you've done
heaven will remember and repay"

Fifty years had gone since I saw him
I was dying and I'd soon be dead
Three angels stood in front of me bed
The first one she said to me, don't be afraid

I will give you immortality, and grace for your soul
The second had eyes of gold, she gave me my wings
The third gave all wisdom, and angel could give
...to me

[repeat 1st verse]

[repeat 2nd verse]

I joined with my destiny, eternally
I knew I was born again, an angel to be
A vision beyond my dreams, called me by name
So in devotion I spread my wings, to heaven I had came
...to stay
				

On that day, that day of birth
in the morning, the dawn of time
it down to rest a moment
when a song came to my mind
As I sat there I could feel it
from within the magic came
With my voice the mountains rose
with my breath came lovely air
With my tears the rain fell down

with the rain came the sea
With my blessing the first rose spread out
with my feelings innocence
(In solitude, a song was born
By magic our dreams were living on
A heart of light was found, it brought delight
to my soul. My faith had made me whole... again)

With my song the sun was born
out of darkness giving light
From my heart came love and joy
and all the beauty you could find

With my tears the rain fell down
with the rain came the sea
blessing the first rose spread out
feelings innocence

In solitude, a song was born

By magic our dreams were living on
A heart of light was found, it brought delight
to my soul. My faith had made me whole... again

In passion I saw the light
a soul filled with harmony
The creation of a new world
my anthem my symphony

I sat there to watch the dawn
all the birds began to sing
I left my song to rise and grow
It was time for me to go
				

oan't you see, the devil in me
just take a look in my eyes
I will play for you, this wicked melody
it's magic will reach for your soul
It burns inside, no place to hide
this strange tune possesses your mind
It comes over you, and the nightmare is true
you'll enter the realm of the dark

You are bewitched... [x 2]
Bewitched be delight, you'll reach the night
dancing and singing to my fiddle
So take my hand, and understand
that no-one will see you again

You are bewitched... [x 2]
I am the master of the enchanted tune
I'll play for your joy, for your soul, for you doom
My fingers they dance upon the strings like fire
weaving a spell of my burning desire
Sing with me, meet your destiny
set yourself free to the magic
So come with me, my kingdom to see
believe me you're captured my friend
You are bewitched... [x 4]
				

Mirror, mirror upon the wall
Magic demon eye
A realm of madness
Awakened by the call

Speak the ancient words of mages
Try to take control
The essence of evil,
A challenge for your soul

The battle of minds
The riddle the rhymes
Beware of the darkness behind
Usurped and enslaved
Redeemed and betrayed
The devil in the mirror, obey!

Iridescent pulsation light
Glowing in its heart
The surface is reflecting
Nightmares of your mind

Green mist swirling deep within
A dark dimension takes from
The grip of clawed hands drags you inside

The battle of minds
The riddle the rhymes
Beware of the darkness behind
Usurped and enslaved
Redeemed and betrayed
The devil in the mirror, obey!

Enchanted with powers to conquer your soul
Good or evil it won't mind
The mirror of darkness is blind

Feel the presence, the voice of the dark
Break the balance, intrudes your mind
Try to deny, oh master of fools
Captured forever, the loser learns the rules
				

I bind unto myself
today the strong name of the trinity

Crypt of despair
the old man is there
forming a circle of magic and prayers

Guarding the well
the black hole to hell
its evil must never arise I can tell
Holy mission
forever he's sworn
to protect our world from hatred and scorn
He will not fear
though the Sabbath is near
twelve strokes for Candlemass darkness descends

[Chorus:]
"Break the circle and all hell comes loose
the well of souls must stay sealed
Ancient force of light against the dark
the well of souls must stay sealed"
Black wind turns out the candles
the air grows cold and threatening
Dark shadows wicked laughter
brings darkness to your heart
Behold the goat of Mendes
red burning evil eyes
Lord's prayer holy water
only faith can save you now

Disharmony, satanic serenade
Black symphony, a tribute to the plague
The twisted souls awakened by the chanting
Unchained at last, rise, they will now rise

A new day's dawn, holy light
Sunlight redeems
slays the dark, warms and heals, makes you
see nightmares' terror is back in your dreams
Sleep well my friend 'cause
this tale's now to end, don't
believe our world is as safe's we pretend

[Chorus:]
"Break the circle and all hell comes loose
the well of souls must stay sealed
Ancient force of light against the dark
the well of souls must stay sealed"
				

Deep was my anguish for those words
they froze my blood and chained my soul
the master had spoken, the truth, not any lies
The devil gives and evil takes
the things in life that man forsakes
a throne in hell, a price or a sacrifice?

Still the wind was blowing soft
and gentle here under the oak
which gave me shelter and rest for my trial

"I'm not strong, weak is my mind
a new beginning, where to find?
I'm the last one on earth, please forgive us our crime"
It was a time, when love was mine
now it's time, to sacrifice
My heart, bleeding for my race
the traces of mankind swept out by the hands of our lord
I cried, for the ones I had lost
Midnight in paradise, grief, away goes my hope
I cried for, the ones I had lost
"Hear my prayers, climbing on the clouds above

Silent cry, reach the inner halls of truth
Give me a sign!
A crimson sky, bless my eyes
up goes the sun, my time has come
(It has come)"
				

Sunrise I greet you, the beauty of your light
so warm and tender was never the night
In tears I see you, the last time it will be
so give me your blessing, I'll meet my destiny
No rest for the Sinner
Hypnos refused me my sleep
This was the last night of my life
with wine I pondered on my deeds
I drank to the devil with servants
It's good with a friend where you go
No one would share my last chalice
So I drink to the ones that I know

Ring brother, ring for me
Ring the bells of hope and faith
Ring for my damnation
I am at the gallows end

With sad emotions, I sing this epitaph
my swansong, my headstone, the farewell of my heart
The hills of Tyburn, up where the gallows stand
only the vultures will come to see me hang

Behold the sight of my Golgatha
the gallows enlightened by the moon
proud of his art are the carpenter
his creation a tool for my doom

I am the outcast no winner
I am the fallen the one
that lived all his life as a sinner
The Tempter has called me his son

Soon it is time the dark has now fled
and I see the place for my death
the priest he will pray for my lost soul
I'm sure he's wasting his time

A sinner, a fool or a devil
or just a victim of life
It's no fun to burn in hell's fire
but I sure have enjoyed my life

Ring brother, ring for me
Ring the bells of hope and faith
Ring for my damnation
I am at the gallows end
				

I'm sitting here alone in darkness
waiting to be free,
Lonely and forlorn I'm crying
I long for my time to come
death means just life
Please let me die in solitude

Hate is my only friend
pain is my father
torment is delight to me
Death is my sanctuary
I seek it with pleasure
Please let me die in solitude

Receive my sacrifice
my lifeblood is exhausted
no one gave love and understanding
Hear these words
vilifiers and pretenders
and please let me die in solitude
Earth to earth
Ashes to ashes
Dust to dust
				

Black heart, your soul is mine (...mine, mine)
Gaze into and the secrets you'll find (...find, find)
Just read the signs

Gaze into the crystal, see what it tells
It can bring you all fortune, do you so well
Visions and dreams you can see in the Crystal ball

I saw the rainbows end
I am raptured, I cannot pretend
I've found Atlantis
The talisman of Seth

Gaze into the crystal, see what it tells
It can bring you all fortune, do you so well
Visions and dreams you can see in the Crystal ball

The Crystal ball
In the Crystal ball

I've seen it all, gazed into the crystal ball
Tell me more, I want to know
Please hear my call

Gaze into the crystal, see what it tells
It can bring you all fortune, do you so well
Visions and dreams you can see in the Crystal ball

The Crystal ball
The Crystal ball

... Crystal ball
				

[Part I]

Time stands still in these ancient halls
Only the castle itself can tell what it keeps
Dark are the secrets between these walls
hidden in shadows of death, while the sorcerer sleeps

Where is the morning
where is the sun
Thousand years of midnight
the sunrise is gone
An old man marked by a life so long

Is sleeping so sweet while his magic is growing so strong
Waiting still for new times to come
a thousands years to see if he has won

Where is the morning
where is the sun
A thousand years of midnight

the sunrise is gone
I
What has he done ?
Why is he sleeping so long ?
He wants to live for evermore

Soon is he young
n will he open his eyes ?
When he is strong enough to rule

Back in our time goes the legend
of a sorcerer so old
He drank the blood of the virgin to be reborn
Soon a tyrant will conquer
So spoke the wise
of the day when the sorcerer will rise

Blood is his wine
The sorcerer is cheating on time
and he'll be stronger than before

Cursed be the sun
the women will weep for his fun
In the name of his magic so strong

[Part II]
A thousand years have gone
Armageddon hasn't come
Only the cry of a child echoes in the dark
wards goes time
as the stars are passing by
and nothing remains of this foolish man except his fate
				

[I. Dance Of The Fay]
[II. Magic / Entering The Tower]
[III. Dance Of The Fay (Reprise)]
[IV. Soulsflight]
[V. Towards The Unknown]
[VI. Choir Of Angels]
[VII. Outside The Gates Of Heaven]
				

Beyond all nightmares I met my fate
an ancient passage surrounded by hate
scared I was with my hand on my cross
I went into the demons gate
Across the Styx among the mists of Hades
a gate of stones marks the path
to soul's damnation and hell's wrath

Ancient evil is awaiting there
at the doorstep to hell
within it's darkness the demons dwell
From the dark age the passage hail
created by witchcraft and hate
where every sinner will meet his fate

The place is cursed by the hands of doom
unholy powers in reign
the devil's paradise of pain
Approach !
The Eibon opens for you
the choirs of damnation, call you on through
The twilight possesses, the heart of your soul
the starlight is fading to black, into the
Demons gate
				

Deep was my anguish for those words
they froze my blood and chained my soul
the master had spoken, the truth, not any lies
The devil gives and evil takes
the things in life that man forsakes
a throne in hell, a price or a sacrifice?

Still the wind was blowing soft
and gentle here under the oak
which gave me shelter and rest for my trial

"I'm not strong, weak is my mind
a new beginning, where to find?
I'm the last one on earth, please forgive us our crime"
It was a time, when love was mine
now it's time, to sacrifice
My heart, bleeding for my race
the traces of mankind swept out by the hands of our lord
I cried, for the ones I had lost
Midnight in paradise, grief, away goes my hope
I cried for, the ones I had lost
"Hear my prayers, climbing on the clouds above

Silent cry, reach the inner halls of truth
Give me a sign!
A crimson sky, bless my eyes
up goes the sun, my time has come
(It has come)"
				

Deep was my anguish for those words
they froze my blood and chained my soul
the master had spoken, the truth, not any lies
The devil gives and evil takes
the things in life that man forsakes
a throne in hell, a price or a sacrifice?

Still the wind was blowing soft
and gentle here under the oak
which gave me shelter and rest for my trial

"I'm not strong, weak is my mind
a new beginning, where to find?
I'm the last one on earth, please forgive us our crime"
It was a time, when love was mine
now it's time, to sacrifice
My heart, bleeding for my race
the traces of mankind swept out by the hands of our lord
I cried, for the ones I had lost
Midnight in paradise, grief, away goes my hope
I cried for, the ones I had lost
"Hear my prayers, climbing on the clouds above

Silent cry, reach the inner halls of truth
Give me a sign!
A crimson sky, bless my eyes
up goes the sun, my time has come
(It has come)"
				

The rain kept on falling and darkened the sky
The dawn was to come with the sunrise
Revealing the shadows that passed through the mist
The torchlight was flickering,
The storm was chasing them on

A procession of dark coats followed the star
Foretold to come since ages
In silence they walked on crossing the lands
On their way to Bethlehem,
To break the chains of the spell

Stone, they worshipped the stone
In generation from father to son
A star, a star is to come
To light them way to the one who is born

The leader he knelt there to greet the newborn
Holding his pendant before him
Teardrops were falling from his eyes as he said:
"Take this stone and use it well, don't do as I did long ago"

Into the sundown he returned
The moon was rising and heaven burned
Like shadows disappeared the men
And the black stone wielders were never seen again

Stone, they wielded the stone
In generation from father to son
A star, a star is to come
And light them the way to the one who is born

They came across the western sea
With powers greater than needed
The wizards commanded the lightning
Every creature knelt in for their will
But they wielded the black stone with evil
And their evil was cast back on them
Damned to praise god forever
'til his son was born to deliver

Stone, they wielded the stone
In generation from father to son
A star, a star is to come
And light them the way to the one who is born
				

Beyond all nightmares I met my fate
an ancient passage surrounded by hate
scared I was with my hand on my cross
I went into the demons gate
Across the Styx among the mists of Hades
a gate of stones marks the path
to soul's damnation and hell's wrath

Ancient evil is awaiting there
at the doorstep to hell
within it's darkness the demons dwell
From the dark age the passage hail
created by witchcraft and hate
where every sinner will meet his fate

The place is cursed by the hands of doom
unholy powers in reign
the devil's paradise of pain
Approach !
The Eibon opens for you
the choirs of damnation, call you on through
The twilight possesses, the heart of your soul
the starlight is fading to black, into the
Demons gate
				

Deep was my anguish for those words
they froze my blood and chained my soul
the master had spoken, the truth, not any lies
The devil gives and evil takes
the things in life that man forsakes
a throne in hell, a price or a sacrifice?

Still the wind was blowing soft
and gentle here under the oak
which gave me shelter and rest for my trial

"I'm not strong, weak is my mind
a new beginning, where to find?
I'm the last one on earth, please forgive us our crime"
It was a time, when love was mine
now it's time, to sacrifice
My heart, bleeding for my race
the traces of mankind swept out by the hands of our lord
I cried, for the ones I had lost
Midnight in paradise, grief, away goes my hope
I cried for, the ones I had lost
"Hear my prayers, climbing on the clouds above

Silent cry, reach the inner halls of truth
Give me a sign!
A crimson sky, bless my eyes
up goes the sun, my time has come
(It has come)"
				

The rain kept on falling and darkened the sky
The dawn was to come with the sunrise
Revealing the shadows that passed through the mist
The torchlight was flickering,
The storm was chasing them on

A procession of dark coats followed the star
Foretold to come since ages
In silence they walked on crossing the lands
On their way to Bethlehem,
To break the chains of the spell

Stone, they worshipped the stone
In generation from father to son
A star, a star is to come
To light them way to the one who is born

The leader he knelt there to greet the newborn
Holding his pendant before him
Teardrops were falling from his eyes as he said:
"Take this stone and use it well, don't do as I did long ago"

Into the sundown he returned
The moon was rising and heaven burned
Like shadows disappeared the men
And the black stone wielders were never seen again

Stone, they wielded the stone
In generation from father to son
A star, a star is to come
And light them the way to the one who is born

They came across the western sea
With powers greater than needed
The wizards commanded the lightning
Every creature knelt in for their will
But they wielded the black stone with evil
And their evil was cast back on them
Damned to praise god forever
'til his son was born to deliver

Stone, they wielded the stone
In generation from father to son
A star, a star is to come
And light them the way to the one who is born
				

Beyond all nightmares I met my fate
an ancient passage surrounded by hate
scared I was with my hand on my cross
I went into the demons gate
Across the Styx among the mists of Hades
a gate of stones marks the path
to soul's damnation and hell's wrath

Ancient evil is awaiting there
at the doorstep to hell
within it's darkness the demons dwell
From the dark age the passage hail
created by witchcraft and hate
where every sinner will meet his fate

The place is cursed by the hands of doom
unholy powers in reign
the devil's paradise of pain
Approach !
The Eibon opens for you
the choirs of damnation, call you on through
The twilight possesses, the heart of your soul
the starlight is fading to black, into the
Demons gate