Scylla

Scylla

[Verse 1] The channel narrowed slowly Till the sky became a blade Black water struck the oarlocks And no prayer crossed the strait

The cliffs leaned close above us With salt upon their teeth And every man fell silent At the breathing underneath

[Pre-Chorus] Do not look up Do not ask why Keep the oars in time Keep the bow alive

[Chorus] Row through the shadow Row through the stone Some names are taken So others reach home

Hold to the timber Hold to the cry There are deaths a king remembers That no god will justify

[Verse 2] I knew the cost before them But I kept it in my mouth For fear can break a vessel Before the storm comes down

So I spoke of wind and passage I spoke of keeping pace While the dark above the water Opened like a face

[Pre-Chorus] Do not look back Do not count the lost There are roads through living water That only open at a cost

[Chorus] Row through the shadow Row through the stone Some names are taken So others reach home

Hold to the timber Hold to the cry There are deaths a king remembers That no god will justify

[Bridge] Then the air came apart And the oars lost their beat Hands rose from the benches Voices broke under teeth

I heard one call his brother I heard one call for me But command is a silence When mercy cannot be

[Instrumental Break]

[Final Chorus] Row through the shadow Row through the stone Some names were taken So others reached home

Hold to the timber Hold to the cry There are deaths I still remember That no god can justify

[Outro] The strait fell back behind us The water closed its seam And six empty places Kept rowing in my dreams