55 day

Lyrics

(Verse 1)
The banners of the Dual Monarchy are tattered in the heat
From the docks of Pola to this narrow Peking street
The French Legation’s burning, and the walls are caving in
And the Boxers’ rhythmic chanting is a deafening, rising din.
The volunteers are falling back, their powder nearly spent
Through the ruins of the gardens where the ancient trees are bent
But someone has to stay behind, someone has to hold the gate
With a ten-round stripper-clip and a bitter twist of fate.
​(Chorus)
With a Mauser C96 and a wooden holster stock
I’m the keeper of the rhythm, I’m the ticking of the clock
The "Broomhandle" is barking, spitting lead in rapid fire
Sweeping clean the alleyway of the Boxer’s holy ire.
Go on and find the safety of the British Legation wall
I’ll stay here in the shadows until the heavens fall.
​(Verse 2)
The smoke is thick and yellow, and my uniform is gray
But the steel in my hand is the only thing that’s bright today
The stripper-clips are empty, and the barrel’s glowing red
I’ve a mountain of brass casings and a tally of the dead.
They’re charging through the "Manwicker," through the shattered garden gate
But the Mauser’s high-velocity will make the tigers wait.
I can hear the frantic footsteps of the men I’m meant to save
I’m digging out a fortress in the footprint of a grave.
​(Bridge)
I’m a long way from the Danube, a long way from the sea
But the honor of the Kaiser is a heavy thing to be
One last clip of 7.63, pushed home with a steady thumb
I can hear the beating of the Great Imperial drum.
The retreat is done, the gate is barred, they’ve made it to the rear
And now the only sound I make is the one they’re going to hear.
​(Guitar Solo - Sharp, staccato notes mimicking the rapid fire of the C96)
​(Verse 3 - Slowed down)
The hammer falls on empty, the slide is locked back wide
The Dragon’s shadows swallow me, there’s nowhere left to hide.
I dropped the Mauser in the dirt, my duty now is through
A soldier of the Kaiser in the ruins of the Fu.
The volunteers are safe tonight, they’ll live to see the sun
But the story of the Austrian is finally, truly done.