When the blood of kings is shed

and the world grows silent, waiting

then a single spark of dread

breaks the silence of the fighting

 

When the blood of kings is shed

people die of crimes unproven

and with a single loosened thread

the entire kingdom is unwoven

 

When the blood of kings is shed

then the earth will wage its vengeance

and the truth not often said

is that it never ends in penance

 

When the blood of kings is shed

by another born of power

then the latter has betrayed

the former king who will not cower

 

When the blood of kings is shed

than the roots of life are shaken

and every tree and every stone

echoes the pain of life that’s taken

 

But when the blood of kings is shed

for the sake of common flesh

then the meaning is much greater

though the danger isn’t less

 

When the blood of kings is shed

it’s the common boy thats broken

for the vow that was once his

the other one, as well, has spoken

 

When the blood of kings is shed

free of force and free of guile

then the lock is briefly broken

though the innocent stands trial

 

When the blood of kings is shed

because the pain no longer matters

but to the heart that stands beside him

a brother’s heart and one that shatters

 

When the blood of any man is shed

then that is power to beware 

but out of choice and by a child

that is love beyond compare.