Magnum Album

Soldier of the line, how does it feel?
You're far away from home, polishing steel
The sun moves in between the mountain and sky
As dawn puts out its fingers, splitting them wide

Soldier of the line, what do you know?
About the other side, they never show
They must be well disguised, biding their time
Their armour well prepared so nothing will shine

Solider of the line, would you kill me?
There's something in your eyes stopping you see
They're cloudy and you turn your head away
What's that rolling down your face, are you okay?

Hold back those tears from your eyes
Don't show those feelings inside

You're in a murderous playground
War games on a castle wall
You're in a murderous playground
Crossed out if you dare to fall

Soldier of the line, it isn't fair
You're bleeding deep inside, nobody cares
Your flag and lance stand proud, splintered and red
No movement in the fields, the crows will be fed

Soldier of the line, you've come to the end
You'll never get to see your mother again
Some unfamiliar place you're going to stay
An unremembered name, an unforgettable day

Midnight skies burn on, many stories untold
On icy nights winds blow and touch everyone
You still think you are so far away
But you'll pay dearest price of us all

'Cause you stand on the edge of the world
And you're dreaming all your precious time away
You know you're dreaming all your precious time away

Morning comes so soon, so bright in your eyes
And talking to yourself, you don't even try
There, alone where no one bothers you
You can stay a thousand miles from us all

But you stand on the edge of the world
And you're dreaming all your precious time away
You know you're dreaming all your precious time away

And in this world you sleep ignoring
Another night has passed
This endless sleep might be rewarding
Don't let it be your last

Don't place your trust in foolish promises sworn
Nor cryptic message scrawled upon every wall
Street corner justice beware
The spirit will find you always be fair

The shallow verse once read means nothing at all
Nor fearful gestures made for instant recall
In lies your heart will not share
The spirit inside you is used without care

To the spirit that guides you, follow it through
To the spirit inside you, always be true
You know you'll despair
If the spirit inside you is used without care

The battlefield of glory pales into rust
The river flows much thicker, fed by each thrust
No beast alive does compare
The spirit besides you everywhere

Let not your head be turned by tainted reward
And dreams of fortune won, forever to hoard
Your conscience could not repair
The spirit inside you is used without care

'Cause it will be your shelter
Help you how to decide
And it will be your helper
Should your loyalties divide

The ash of pages swept before the cruel wind
The loss of choices praises no one will sing
No clues to how you will fare
The spirit implores you tread where you dare

The dust lies thick on casket, rich or quite poor
Distinction disappears, the worm both deplore
The candle burns out once more
For the spirit inside you won't be ignored

All of my dreams that fell through and had tasted so sour
Take second place in my mind for this one sacred hour
Still I've been moved for so long by this strange fascination
Here, as I stand all alone in complete concentration

Face through the clouds and the gods shine with awe splendour
Rise up and roar, they approve, will they always remember?
I hear the voice of the crowd, it will last forever
Locked in my heart, kept away like a stolen treasure

I can hear them calling
Hear the crowd applauding
If it's real, I like the feeling
If I'm wrong, who am I deceiving?

Night after night it repeats an exciting romance
Shared by us all, though we met by a fleeting half chance
Caught trapped in time, no escape from this powerful dream world
Pleased, though I am to be here, I am lost in the real world

In this one sacred hour

Love don't come easy, so don't treat it light
Remember there's two sides, you'll make it all right
No magic potion, there's no way to tell
Could be like heaven, might be like hell

You're tempted to turn round, comes to us all
Moments of pleasure you're bound to recall
One bad decision, that's all it will take
Something you treasured to something you break

Walking the straight line
Hope it's the same with you, baby
Walking the straight line
That's all that you've got to do

Now you've found yourself, can you tell me how you feel?
Well, you look so well, everything seems new and real
Can you rise above all the worldly cares you had?
All the foolish thoughts, have they really left your head?

Yes, I'd like to see if you really know for sure
Are you still convinced what you had was less before
Will it last for long, you're obsessed by new ideas
There's a change in you but you change most every year

Can you stand there and tell me now
It's not only a dream, it's better
It's a part you could play forever

We all play the game, we all play the game
And though we think again, still it will be the same
We play the game, this foolish game

And the search goes on, a never-ending thirst unquenched
What you're looking for, someone yet has to invent
Does it please you well, did you have to look so hard?
And you travel far though the answers in your heart

I bring you peace and understanding
I give you freedom from your cares
I bring the truth with no illusion
To give you hope when you despair

I have the secret of the whirlwind
I keep the eagle close at hand
This kingdom, tall as any mountain
Will reap the treasure from this land

I am the teacher
I am the teacher
I am the teacher

More than you'll ever know
Everything I can show

I have the answer to all questions
Above us here and far below
No voices will be raised in anger
No cruel ambitions will you show

The lights burned out and with it, it's taken my eyes
It seems so hard, it's taken me by surprise
And, oh baby, all that you said must be lies

I cease to feel the wind and the rain on my face
Sometimes I'm sure but then I'm confused in my haste
And, oh baby, I'm standing by taking no space

But I don't cry so easy, no, I don't cry at all
You don't believe me and I think that's my only downfall

What am I going to do about you, baby?
What am I going to do without you now?
What am I going to do about you, baby?
What am I going to do without you now?
What am I going to do without you now?

You had my love, wild as an ocean could call
I was the fool and you were the winner, take all
And, oh baby, it's so much to me, yet so small

***

Original version:

The lights burned out and with it, it's taken my eyes
It seems so hard, it's taken me by surprise
And, oh baby, all that you said must be lies

I cease to feel the wind and the rain on my face
Sometimes I'm sure but then I'm confused in my haste
And, oh baby, I'm standing by taking no space

But I don't cry easy, no, I don't cry at all
But you don't believe me and I think that's my only downfall

You had my love, wild as an ocean could call
I was the fool and you were the winner, take all
And, oh baby, it's so much to me, yet so small