A Purpose for New London Songtext
von Dan Bull

Gather brothers, gather sisters, soothe your blisters by the fire
Though our bones may ache and groan, we know our spirits never tire
The temperature′s low, but our purpose is much higher
What's behind us mustn′t blind us to divineness that transpires

Now her spires have expired, well, she rests in each of you
London's not a place, it wasn't left beneath our boots
And by grace we have been with that most elegant of truth
You stand here, not abandoned, but as testament and proof

For a city is its people and its people are its heart
Stood together ′gainst the weather, ′gainst the coming of the dark
Ne'er a lantern has been build with oh-so righteous a spark
When providence claimed continents, but provided us an ark

We moved north as awful, forceful storms removed borders
Forced to leave the warmth behind, the daylight hours grew shorter
Unable to read at night, the people might dispute lawbooks
Ushering the death of joy, division made a New Order


Brute force and discipline ensures all the citizens
Are chipping in sufficiently, under threat of imprisonment
Liberty′s prohibited, retired, it's mandatory compliance now
To keep the fire alight, we need to stamp any defiance out

We can ill afford the price of human rights nor pay the cost of anger
So we stifle scrutinising eyes astray with propaganda
The only way that we can pull through is under cruel rule
If a single person falls out of line, we all do

Morning gathering or evening prayer
We still battle for a season fair
We still huddle in the freezing air
For a summer that′s not even there
If that Sun won't rise on our horizon
We′ll march on to spite the skies and
Find that wheel of progress, so well worn
Brought us no shelter from the storm

I have heard that there are those who would defy us
Who'd choose oppression o'er ascension for the pious
Dissidents without repent are bent on questioning the dias
Twisted iron fist pariahs and their heretic messiah


Winter blizzards to infinity, so sing the hymns and litanies
Hand in and skin the sinners if you wish to skim divinity
Each shiver will deliver us deliverance in time
Burn the innocents for penitence if we preempt the crime

I′m protector of the truth, great erector of the New Faith
Defectors and objectors can expect a second doomsday
Unquestioning our destiny, relentless we pursue fate
Alone I have been chosen to be spoken through by true grace
Frozen omens say we should invoke another crusade

We rush to crush dissent from those who claim we must repent
How could a benevolent god subject us to such events?
Against the elements, precious seconds each of us has spent
Completing Public Penance could′ve been invested putting up the tents

Pragmatism's borne of pessimism, not a full-blown pestilence
Infecting desperate residents with false hope
Now they′ve sworn oaths and pledged commitment to a cult
No mercy will be shown or quarter given, fetch the coiled rope

And hang them by the necks until it's taut, the lesson learned is certain
No forgiveness for giving attention to those worthless sermons
No measure of faith will keep you warm or sate your appetite
So pray, heed the warning, or we may just have to tax your life

Morning gathering or evening prayer
We still battle for a season fair
We still huddle in the freezing air
For a summer that′s not even there
If that Sun won't rise on our horizon
We′ll march on to spite the skies and
Find that wheel of progress, so well worn
Brought us no shelter from the storm

Now the book of laws is closed and its pages shine a light
As the people fill the shrines in line with my divine right
This battlement of sacraments, as chattel to our rite
The sacrilegious and recalcitrant shall vow or face the smite

Nonbelievers shan't deceive us, we shall greet their cheek with grievance
In this ceaseless season, we redeem the meek with bleak obedience
Seeking each unheeding heathen, see them bleed or plead allegiance
Blessed be relief from freedom; lest ye feel the need for treason

Since the precept was decreed, its certainty was predetermined
Mere herds of sheep are people, thus, they need to be subservient
'Neath so turbulent a firmament, the worst of men survive
Pray their mercy may preserve us once we touch the other side

Now the book of laws is closed, you′ve no hope to try and fight
As the people fall in line and march in time with iron might
Nonbelievers shan′t deceive us, we shall greet their cheek with grievance
In this ceaseless season, we redeem the meek with bleak obedience

Seeking each unheeding heathen, see them bleed or plead allegiance
Blessed be relief from freedom; lest ye feel the need for treason
Since the precept was decreed, its certainty was predetermined
Mere vermin are the people, thus, they need to be subservient

They deserve paternal leadership; eternally prescriptive
Turn a leaf in the journal, weep as you read the scriptures
The book of laws is closed, it's frozen shut and couldn′t thaw
But should the storms subside it might be time to write a couple more