Sanctuary Bell

Lyrics

Verse 1
Blood on the steps of the throne room
Shouting that shatters the dawn
He feels the floor tilt beneath him
As they drag his father gone
Bare feet over cold stone corridors
Gold crown too heavy to hold
Hands on his back
Breath in his throat
Every shadow feels bold

Chorus
Ring
Ring the sanctuary bell
Hide me in the house of mercy
Lock these doors
Let the echoes yell
Till the steel outside turns to worry
I am just a child in a borrowed crown
Let the tower walls surround me
Ring
Ring the sanctuary bell
Till the loyal come and find me

Verse 2
Boots on the stairway behind him
Names turned to curses and lies
He sees the white of the temple
Like a harbor in his eyes
He falls at the feet of the old man
Robes smelling faintly of wine
“Father
Please shield me
They’re hunting my blood”
And his hand closes over his mind

Chorus
Ring
Ring the sanctuary bell
Hide me in the house of mercy
Lock these doors
Let the echoes yell
Till the steel outside turns to worry
I am just a child in a borrowed crown
Let the tower walls surround me
Ring
Ring the sanctuary bell
Till the loyal come and find me

Bridge
Iron screams in the courtyard (hey!)
Trumpets split the air in two
Soldiers flood the cobblestone
Like a wave of silver-blue
He curls in the chapel corner
While the old man stands the door
Whispered psalms
Steady palms
“I have seen worse storms before”

Chorus
Ring
Ring the sanctuary bell
Hide me in the house of mercy
Lock these doors
Let the echoes yell
Till the steel outside turns to worry
I am just a child in a borrowed crown
But my mother rides in glory
Ring
Ring the sanctuary bell
Let her write the ending story

Outro
Hooves on the road
Then silence
Silk rushing over the floor
Tear-bright eyes of a weary queen
As she gathers him in her arms once more
The bell still sways in the rafters
Soft as a remembered prayer
A prince in fear
A kingdom spared
By the courage that answered there