Guns Above the Clouds

We held the line o’er lantern light, same as every night before

Low above the chimney smoke, guarding hearth and door

Flares went up like second stars, burned the shadows thin

And every man could feel it then—we were drawing them in

“Hold your fire, hold your place—

Let ‘em climb and take the bait…”

Oh the guns above the clouds came down like thunder

Fire from the heavens split the dark asunder

They thought the night was theirs to shroud

Till we rose where none allowed—

Now the sky ain’t safe for monsters any longer

On the Prophet stood Maggie Hale, lantern in her hand

Rose-gold light against the dark, a flame at her command

When the shadows balked and turned, when they would not rise—

She burned the path before their wings and drove them to the skies

“Higher still—don’t let ‘em break—

Drive ‘em where the white clouds wake…”

Oh the guns above the clouds came down like thunder

Fire from the heavens split the dark asunder

Chased by light they would not face

Driven from their chosen place—

Now the sky ain’t safe for monsters any longer

No smoke… no flame… no turning screw…

Three ghosts hung where the white winds blew…

Chains held fast and cannons primed…

We held our breath… we bled out time…

One shadow faltered—just a beat—

A twitch of wing, a check mid-sweep…

Some buried dread it could not name—

Then lantern-fire drove it the same…

Then a flare came screaming through the night—

Lit the devils in their flight—

“Mark ‘em!”

—“Marked below!”

“Cut the lines!”

—“Let ‘em go!”

“Stand to guns!”

—“Make it loud!”

“FIRE FROM THE CLOUD!”

Oh the guns above the clouds came down like thunder

Iron rain and screaming fire tore ‘em under

From the dark we drew ‘em proud

Then we struck and broke ‘em loud—

Now the sky belongs to men who dare to conquer

So raise a light where Maggie stands against the night

A lantern burning dragons blind and driving them to height

Let them curse the shining crowd—

We are death above the clouds…

And we’ll be there every night they come for me