From the recording Over the Hills
The 1812 storming of Badajoz retold in truly epic fashion. This sweeping, cinematic piece takes you from a colossal prelude, through the tension and anticipation before the storming to the bloodsoaked chaos of the attack itself. The music is relentless, the lyrics visceral, the hooks immense and the experience overwhelming.
Lyrics
After twenty nights, the guns lie still
The calm before the storm
The waiting men prepare themselves
For the carnage yet to come
Three months since, in blood and fire
Ciudad Rodrigo fell
If into Spain we are to march
This beast must fall as well
The breach is steep, the ditch is deep
Above the Frenchmen wait
But Marshal Soult is drawing near
There is no time to waste
Wellington knows that he must act
Attack and damn the cost
The orders travel down the line
The Devil laughs at Badajoz
They climb into the teeth of guns
Towards the waiting blades
Advancing soldiers torn apart
By bullets and grenades
A constant hail of cannon fire
And bullets from above
Climb your comrades corpses
And the rubble slick with blood
The breach is calling
Reform, storm again
On this night of bloodshed
Once more to the breach
The fortress must fall
Reform, storm again
Straight into the mouth of Hell
Once more to the breach
To die
Shots and screams are deafening
In this place where Death is king
Suddenly there comes a shout
The tide begins to turn about
Men are in the castle now
The 3rd Division, God knows how
One red jacket on the pole
The time has come, the city falls
'Cross the walls the soldiers stream
And in the streets begin the screams
Blood-drunk soldiers that survived
Now cast their consciences aside
Terror of the drunken mob
Civilians murdered, raped and robbed
Britain's army's honour stained
Let history not forget their shame