The drums of glory have faded to dust
The Emperor’s eagles are covered in rust
From Moscow’s tall spires to the Beresina's flow
We marched for a dream in the blinding white snow
But the retreat turned to slaughter, the line didn’t hold
Left for the wolves in the bittering cold
My brothers are shadows, gone with the gale
While I stand alone in this iron-clad jail!I see them moving through the birch and the pine
A thousand grey ghosts at the edge of the line
They think I am broken, they think I am dead
But the snow shall be painted a deep shade of redLeft behind on the plains of the Tsar!
Under the light of a dying north star!
One final volley, one last defiant cry
An Eagle of France with his wings to the sky!
The bayonets glint in the pale winter sun
The battle is over, but the war isn't done!The Cossacks are circling, I hear their wild call
They wait for the hunger to make a man fall
But my powder is dry and my saber is keen
The bravest damn soldier that they’ve ever seen
No white flag of mercy, no plea for my life
I’ve wedded the carnage and kissed the cold knife
Let the Romanov legions come claim what is left
I’ll greet them with fire in the valley of death