1. BACK FROM THE STORM

The door seemed closed forever, for hope came only by faith
We joined them to the earth, but with their bodies
A part of all our hearts scattered to the wind
And on that day, even as the autumn wept of death
I was given a chance to open the door just enough to peak through

And when the door was open the light broke in upon me
There they were in all their brilliance
She smiled from beyond, eyes like an angel
And with her was the Fifth Bard with whom died the dream’s innocence
Their radiant silhouette cloaked my shadow of gloom
And I joined them in a smile but I could not go in for it was not yet my time

She reached out and took hold of the door handle
And began to pull it toward them
But as the dark haze of sleep closed in around me again they left in my mind
A gift – formed in flowers – to carry at my side like a weapon
As I fought my way back from the storm
And I have not forgotten


2. DEELER

Three royal bards from within the house of cards, taking time to tell the tale
Of a kingdom with a Fool who was twisted and was cruel and the one who stalks his trail
For the King and the Queen and the Jack no longer seen have been stolen from the game
And the game cannot be played until the cards are saved from the Jester who is to blame

Bringing Balance To Games Of Chance
Restoring Order To Circumstance
The future now looks bright for you and me
The three missing cards will be set free

DEELER – The World Is Coming Undone / The Jester Is Getting Away
DEELER - The War Must Be Won / Our Lives Are Going Astray
DEELER – It’s All In The Cards / That Must Be Saved Without Fail
DEELER – The War Must Be Won / The Strong Must Prevail

In the twisting, tearing void that we call the modern man
You will find The Jester there
Wreaking havoc with the heart, Seeking vengeance on the soul
Wrecking kingdoms with his plan

And the one hope for us all is to see The Jester fall
Only one can see us through
The Three Royal Bards know the Keeper Of The Cards
He is DEELER… He’s here for you.

Each and every man bears a different deck of cards
That are dealt to guide his soul
And in each and every world and on every separate plane the players must not fold
For the game must go on until the time of man is gone
And the tables will be turned
Then we get our just rewards from The Keeper Of The Cards
And the souls then astray will learn!

To smite The Wicked Fool he would challenge him to duel
For The Joker would tip the scales
But The Joker won’t accept that the balance must be kept
For the Universe is frail

When the DEELER finds his nemesis he’ll tell him straight and true
That his moment of glory is through
And when all is said and done you’re the really mortal one
And the Deeler Of The Cards is you!

Bringing Balance To Games Of Chance
Restoring Order To Circumstance
The future now looks bright for you and me
The three missing cards will be set free

DEELER – The World Is Coming Undone / The Jester Is Getting Away
DEELER - The War Must Be Won / Our Lives Are Going Astray
DEELER – It’s All In The Cards / That Must Be Saved Without Fail
DEELER – The War Must Be Won / The Strong Must Prevail


3. BURNING HORIZONS

When The Lord saw how great was man’s wickedness on earth
He grieved he had created them and he grieved for their birth
So to put an end to chaos he would raze the earth to dust
And build a better world that was raised on love and trust

Where Does The Horizon Lie?
Do You Know Where The Horizon Lies?
(Awaken)

Feel The Angry Sunlight That Watches Men In Sin
Burns Down The Horizon And Builds Anew Again
Eyes Upon Their Riches, These Wicked Souls Of Men
As He Burns Down The Horizon And Builds Anew Again

Find the hidden meaning, watch behind the words
Listen very closely and be sure of what you’ve heard
There are those who would deceive you
And lead your life astray
You must be on the right side when the night turns into day

Where Does The Horizon Lie?
Do You Know Where The Horizon Lies?
(Awaken)

Feel The Angry Sunlight That Watches Men In Sin
Burns Down The Horizon And Builds Anew Again
Eyes Upon Their Riches, These Wicked Souls Of Men
As He Burns Down The Horizon And Builds Anew Again

The light that is forever, the light that I defend
Will show the dark’s true meaning
Destroy it in the end
Those who look to darkness may find eternal pain
But lie within the daylight and all that’s good is gained

(Awaken)



4. 227

(Instrumental)

5. / JAY’S DRUM SOLO

(Instrumental)


6. PERSECUTION!

1. A Martyr’s Prayer

Please Lord, forgive them for they know not what they do
I’ve tried and bled for so long to bring them back to you
Sometimes it’s hard to take it, Lord… To bear the suffering
But I pray my killers will find you and my faith shall never stray

2. History Of The Martyrs

Anno Domini – in the days following Calvary
Endless Caesars, ridding the earth of new ideas
Built the cornerstone of destiny for the children of The Church
Ignorant of rules of courage, Unversed in points of law
“Love your enemies”, they said
“Do unto others as you’d have them do to you”
Forgiveness was their solitude; their blood was the seed of The Church
With every death their numbers would increase!

PERSECUTION! Proudly They Marched To Their Crosses
“Death Before Denial” they cried!
PERSECUTION! They Died Into A Better Life
Salvation Was Their Guide

Never baptized by The Waters and The Spirit
Conversions by the hundreds
Straight from the Roman’s ranks
Shouting “DEATH BEFORE DENIAL!”
Now baptized by their blood, now they live on and on
Peter of the chosen twelve marching to his cross
Filled with love and forgiveness
Paul in his prison cell writing the word to the world
Even though their deaths were at hand they would not betray!

PERSECUTION! Proudly They Marched To Their Crosses
“Death Before Denial” they cried!
PERSECUTION! They Died Into A Better Life
Salvation Was Their Guide

3. The Oath

Fodder for the lions, I close my eyes and wait to take my turn
Defending my faith to the final hour, I proudly march to die
So send me to the jaws of death within these coliseum walls
I’ll pray for you forevermore, that you might hear the savior’s call!


7. TAKE COMMAND!

You’re always on the move / You never really slow down
Life just passes you by, seems to go ‘round and ‘round
But there’s a lot more to life you’d better understand
For loving those around you is God’s command!

You’re in the spotlight, there’s a call from above
And now it’s time to show your love
There’s a light that shines, that shines through the darkness
A light that shines forevermore

Take Command – Of Your Destiny
Take Command – With Jesus Christ
You Gotta Reach Out – And Take His Hand
The Lord Is Life To Those Who Find Him

You seem to be left behind but you’re really not
The balance you seek to find, it burns on and on
You’ve been left so long like a rock through time
But once you find the key to life your light will shine

You’re in the spotlight, and God is in command
And now it’s time to take a stand
Move away from what’s behind and look to what’s ahead
Seek and find the balance in your mind

Take Command – Of Your Destiny
Take Command – With Jesus Christ
You Gotta Reach Out – And Take His Hand
And leave the past far behind you


8. THE PAIN OF LOOKING BACK

(Instrumental)


9. WILD CARDS 1

Let’s start the game…
If you spread your cards across the tabletop
You catch a much better view
A different angle – A new vision
Who knows? It just might suit you

Go ahead – Take a chance – Just give it a shot
It’s for your own good anyway
Or if you want to see it another way
It’s all for the good of the game
All for the good of the game

Deal me a set with a better twist
Can you see my cards? It’s a good hand
Three Kings and a Queen and a Jack and a Three
Not Perfect, but I will survive

The game may progress as time goes on
But if it does not I’ll smile and get by
No cards up my sleeve you can’t cheat here
But if I play it right I may never die