Between the Hammer & the Anvil – English Lyrics

• By: Judas Priest

Lyrics & Translation

Explore the powerful imagery and themes of moral conflict in Judas Priest's "Between the Hammer & the Anvil." This heavy metal anthem offers a lesson in resilience and integrity. Discover how the band uses metaphor and sound to convey a message of strength amidst life's pressures.

[English]

Storm warning

But there's no fear

Lies forming

The sacrament lays bare

The sinner

Will testify

They'll suffer

When sacrificed on high

The burning sermons purge their evil words

Between the Hammer and the Anvil

...

Force rises

False rituals

Baptises

The body and the soul

Our union

Their fall from grace

Confession (confess your sins)

Will seal them to their fate

The burning sermons will survive their curse

Between the Hammer and the Anvil

...

Transgression

They prey on grief

Our mission

To purify belief

This altar

Gives power and light

They'll falter

While we are shining bright

The burning sermons consecrate their sin

Between the Hammer and the Anvil

...

Storm warning

But there's no fear

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
storm /stɔːm/ A2	noun - a violent weather condition with strong winds, rain, or snow
fear /fɪər/ A1	noun - an unpleasant emotion caused by threat or danger
lie /laɪ/ A1	verb - to say something that is not true noun - a false statement
sacrament /ˈsækrəmənt/ C1	noun - a religious ceremony or symbol, especially in Christianity
sinner /ˈsɪnər/ B1	noun - a person who commits a sin
testify /ˈtɛstɪfaɪ/ B2	verb - to give a formal statement of what one has seen or experienced
sacrifice /ˈsækrɪfaɪs/ B1	verb - to give up something valuable for a cause noun - an act of giving up something valuable
purge /pɜːrdʒ/ C1	verb - to remove or get rid of something unwanted
ritual /ˈrɪtʃuəl/ B2	noun - a religious or solemn ceremony consisting of a series of actions
baptise /bæpˈtaɪz/ B2	verb - to admit someone into a Christian church through baptism
confession /kənˈfɛʃən/ B2	noun - the act of admitting to a fault or crime
transgression /trænsˈɡrɛʃən/ C1	noun - an act that goes against a law or rule
prey /preɪ/ B1	verb - to hunt or victimize someone noun - an animal hunted or caught for food
altar /ˈɔːltər/ B2	noun - a table or platform used in religious ceremonies
falter /ˈfɔːltər/ B2	verb - to lose strength or momentum
consecrate /ˈkɒnsɪkreɪt/ C1	verb - to make something holy or dedicated to a purpose