[Verse 1]
As I skip amongst the thickets, well, just look at what I've found
An innocent wee critter sitting, shivering on the ground
Entrapped and gagged and bound upon a sacrificial mound
Such a miserable predicament, so how'd you like the sound
Of a haven-cum-community, a vibrant congregation
Of waywards just like you?
The fates aligned for me to save from
The depraved and heathen demons and their vile abominations
Enslaving feeble minds into a life of prostration
Not like my operation
Not the slightest correlation
Why, we've dances, feasts and festivals; it's like we're on vacation
No time for contemplation
Would you like to come and take some
Salvation in exchange for just some light indoctrination?

[Interlude]
The pact is sealed

[Verse 2]
Welcome in, brethren!
Step down off the pentagram
Blessed be and bend the knee and pledge to me forever and
Forget the need to question and we'll never need to reprimand
Lethargy is heresy, you're very keen to lend a hand
There's effigies to render and a temple yet to build
We've many seeds to tend to and there’s earth still left to till
And every second spare you'd best remember to keep filled
In reverent prayer and penance lest dissenters will be kill—
—lecting up the mess
Until they find their crimes regrettable
All evidence says heaven's light's not likely for the skeptical
The bedding's of the finest moss, the lichen often edible
Now, don't you think your life outside was tiresome and forgettable?
[Chorus]
Deep in the dark of the woods where secrets sleep
We serve he who waits beneath
Till the soul, devotion reap
For the lamb who herds the sheep
In the dark of the woods we pledge our lives
Sages say that faith is blind
Arms raised high in sacrifice
Pull down wool over our eyes

[Verse 3]
Time for your donations, fill the dish up, pass the gold plate
Every penny pays to kill the Bishops of the Old Faith
Our benefactor waits betwixt the crippling links of old chains
Tethered to the plains until the heretics are all slain
So pay the tithes and pray you might remain upon the list of all
The cherished, chosen children for whom love is unconditional
Your contribution's absolution for the guilt within you all
Our movement may be new but all your sins are still original
You'll find my sermons stirring; form the circle, get your heads down
Heavy hangs the neck of any vessel of the Red Crown
Blessed to be the shepherd of the desperate and oppressed now
Destined for ascension
Ne'er the wealthy ever left ground
So empty out your bank accounts and dance around the fire
And focus your devotion through the crackling of the pyre
So potent and ambrosial it flows through blackened spires
To satiate our patron and their rancorous desires
The game is barely set yet e’er within the deck you’ve dwelt
We’ve never met and yet we meet again upon my pelts
The cards we want are often drawn but seldom ever dealt
But, chance the hand you’re given mayhap lift you where you fell
Tell me, little lamb, do you see destiny immutable?
Does fate or dedication keep you bended knee and dutiful?
Feign predestination? Or is zealotry the truth of all
The paths you never take and never leave yet in the future walk?
Saviour or enslaver? Oh, these labels are but shallow things
You brave the twisting mists betwixt the hallowed and the harrowing
And pray that they may shift amidst the rhapsody of Haro’s wings
So just embrace the chaos and the clarity the tarot brings
[Chorus]
Deep in the dark of the woods where secrets sleep
We serve he who waits beneath
Till the soul, devotion reap
For the lamb who herds the sheep
In the dark of the woods we pledge our lives
Sages say that faith is blind
Arms raised high in sacrifice
Pull down wool over our eyes

[Verse 4]
The time has come, enlightened ones; the hour is at hand
Or do you doubt the crown?
The righteous power it commands?
We swear to scriptures devilish, devout or ever-damned
Till fetid grip of heretics is scoured from the land
Who today can truly say their faith has never faltered?
Whose neck, so trained to pray would never strain against the halter?
These reins that pave the way towards our patron’s radiant reign
And so which waif ordained by grace shall fate see slain upon the altar?
For what have we to give once coin and toil have been expended?
For naught have we to live if plots of soil to be lamented
Are the unascended end to whence our mortal coil has wended
The rested dead are spoiled not with the spoils we are intended
But flesh, bequeathed freely grants a life a higher purpose
In death, a deeper meaning, everlasting pious service
Sowing seeds precedes a reaping, start a line, now who's the first?
You all decided to convert so tell me, why're you so nervous?
For your fervour has been fated now to satiate the beast
In chains he waits beneath and how he craves to be released
We celebrate in blessed flame, so pray and take a seat
And pledge unto their name lest you be plated at the feast
Let your faith remain unshaken in our monastery's beliefs
You’ve no claim to consecration when there’s coffers to be greased
Stay praiseful to your deity, their prophecy and priest
For the sheep may be the shepherd but the flock is being fleeced
[Chorus]
Deep in the dark of the woods where secrets sleep
We serve he who waits beneath
Give the flesh, ascension seek
From the lamb who herds the sheep
In the dark of the woods we pledge our lives
Sages say that faith is blind
Arms raised high in sacrifice
Pull down wool over our eyes