[Verse 1]
The crescent moon is rising slow
Swiftly blades in ice do grow
On the branches star-bleached snow
Waits while time is passing

[Verse 2]
Outside the door the dancer whirls
Chiming bells and shining curls
Flying footsteps in the snow
Rhyme the rhythm of ruin

[Verse 3]
Beside the wall (Beside, beside the wall)
The beggars call (The beggars call)
"Man have mercy (Man have mercy, man have mercy)
On us all (On us all)"
The night-bound choir (The night-bound choir)
Inside chants on (Inside chants on)
A hymn to brick and pistols

[Verse 4]
You can stumble (You can stumble)
You can fall (You can fall)
Or you can make (Or can you make, or you can make)
The nations crawl (The nations crawl)
But when death (But when death)
Comes in to call (Comes in to call)
He don't care about it
[Verse 5]
Oh, Satan, take thy cup away
For I'll not drink your wine today
I'll reach for the chalice of light
That stands on Jesus' table