The ancient ones of empires beyond, ruled by an iron hand
Peasants and soldiers, all broken and battered wouldn't dare to make a stand
Conformity and submission survive attempts for rebellion
But if you wander out of line, punishment will fit the crime
Fear, shame, pain
You're running the gauntlet
Dying to try, crying to die, yeah
You're running the gauntlet
In the dark centuries, thieves and mercenaries, pillaging without end
You become rich, and you become mighty, a king by your own hand
But don't stray too far from the pack, you'll catch the eye of the aristocrats
Is it amusement or decimation, who cares! you're ripe for the sanction
Fear, shame, pain
You're running the gauntlet
Dying to try, crying to die, yeah
You're running the gauntlet
In modern times, a new paradigm has monetized evil
Always show your best side, otherwise abide by your lowest morals
Go against the grain, you'll feel the disdain, oppressed and shunned by everyone
But you're also wielding that power, you're the victim and the executioner
Fear, shame, pain
You're running the gauntlet
Dying to try, crying to die, yeah
You're running the gauntlet
credits
from Collateral Damage EP,
released January 22, 2021
Music and lyrics by Jérôme st-Charles
Engineered, mixed and mastered by David Lizotte