Mid-Week Music #40 - The Last Stand

Well, this post is late on a number of schedules. Sorry! But better late than never, I suppose.

A lot of you (unless you’re directly related to our family) may not have heard of a band called Sabaton. It’s a Swedish heavy metal group. I know, at first, you may be wondering what on earth I’m getting into. But they are good musicians. Their songs sometimes even edge on hymn-like, musically. But one of the best things about them is, they’re not trying to make a political point.

You see, the point of their music is to tell stories about brilliance and bravery in battle. Every one of their songs is about an event from history—a battle, a war, the brave deeds of a certain soldier, or of a band of soldiers. And those stories they tell are sometimes about the exploits of “the people that do know their God”, as it says in Daniel 11:32. This week’s MWM is one such story.

I decided on this song for a number of reasons. Firstly, because it’s by Sabaton, which is a band my brother, William, likes. And his birthday was last week. (You begin to see why this post is late on a number of schedules).

 

But it’s also because my brother told me today that he wants to do something in his life for God. This song tells of heroes who fought and died to defend the Church, in the name of God. We come and tell their story again, because they—along with countless of the saints and Jesus Christ Himself—show us how to be heroes. I thought it might be appropriate.

So, I suppose I’ll let Sabaton tell that story again now. Happy birthday, William, and may you always fight “for the grace, for the might of our Lord”.

See? Didn’t I tell you they were good musicians? And good storytellers too, I’d say.
 

Oh, yes, that’s right. I forgot. There was also another reason I picked this song. A very unexpected reason. That additional reason is the song’s—er—alternate version. In the commented words of Retr0Active on YouTube, “This shouldnt work. WHY DOES IT WORK SO WELL”.

***
In the heart of the Holy See
In the home of Christianity
The seat of power is in danger
There’s a foe of a thousand swords
They’ve been abandoned by their lords
Their fall from grace will pave their path to damnation
 
Then the 189
In the service of Heaven
They’re protecting the holy line
It was 1527
Gave their lives on the steps to Heaven
Thy will be done
 
(chorus)
For the grace, for the might of our Lord
For the home of the holy
For the faith, for the way of the sword
Gave their lives so boldly
For the grace, for the might of our Lord
In the name of His glory
For the faith, for the way of the sword
Come and tell their story again
 
Under guard of 42
Along a secret avenue
Castel Sant’ Angelo is waiting
They’re the guards of the Holy See
They’re the guards of Christianity
Their path through history is paved with salvation
 
Then the 189
In the service of Heaven
They’re protecting the holy line
It was 1527
Gave their lives on the steps to Heaven
Thy will be done
 
(chorus)
 
***
 
Dying for salvation
With dedication
No capitulation
Annihilation
Papal commendation
Reincarnation
Heaven is your destination
 
Dying for salvation
With dedication
No capitulation
Annihilation
Papal commendation
Reincarnation
Heaven is your destination
In the name of God!
 
(chorus)
For the grace, for the might of our Lord
For the home of the holy
For the faith, for the way of the sword
Gave their lives so boldly
For the grace, for the might of our Lord
In the name of His glory
For the faith, for the way of the sword
Come and tell their story
Gave their lives so boldly
Come and tell the Swiss Guards’ story again