Peter Hammill
Firebrand (Demo)
[Instrumental Intro]

[Verse 1]
Sunday night, twelve weeks before winter
The world is in a smoky haze
Suddenly there appears a rider in the East
Brandishing flame

[Chorus]
'I ride an icy stallion
Fire at each end and poison at the centre -
You won't hear my words as I scream into the darkness:
His plans are like a firebrand
His plans are like a firebrand!'

[Verse 2]
He rides on into the wintry darkness
Brandishing his flame like a spear;
And below him there races his ghost steed
Draping the night in fear

[Chorus]
'I ride an icy stallion
Fire at each end and poison at the centre -
You won't hear my words as I scream into the darkness:
His plans are like a firebrand
His plans are like a firebrand!'
[Instrumental]

[Verse 3]
His steed strains as he reaches out over the reins
And hurls his flame at the West..
The mountains dissolve in fire
And he races through them, screaming:

[Chorus]
'I ride an icy stallion
Fire at each end and poison at the centre -
You won't hear my words as I scream into the darkness:
His plans are like a firebrand
His plans are like a firebrand!'

[Outro]
Njal, beware!
Heed the words which emanate from Hildiglum