Bloodstained Cross – English Lyrics

• By: ARCH ENEMY
• Album: Khaos Legions

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the powerful world of melodic death metal with Arch Enemy's "Bloodstained Cross"! This track is an excellent example of how extreme metal can convey profound messages. By exploring its lyrics, you can learn English vocabulary related to social critique and powerful imagery, while its intricate musicality offers a unique way to immerse yourself in the language through the band's dynamic delivery and Angela Gossow's commanding vocals. It's special for its raw energy and thought-provoking themes, making it an engaging and memorable listening experience.

[English]

Gripping the strength of belief

Old tales and lies you trust

In the end there is no relief

A final breath, you're breathing dust

...

Get up off your praying knees

The door is about to slam shut

Armageddon drawing near

As darkness engulfs your soul

...

All the prayers in this world

Won't help you now

You deceived

They believed

In your bloodstained cross

You deceived

They believed

In your bloodstained cross

...

A perverted truth, your reality

Forced your beliefs on the weak

Power twisted by years of abuse

The strong shall inherit the meek

Get up off your praying knees

The door is about to slam shut

Armageddon drawing near

As darkness engulfs your soul

...

All the prayers in this world

Won't help you now

You deceived

They believed

In your bloodstained cross

You deceived

They believed

In your bloodstained cross

...

You deceived

They believed

In your bloodstained cross

You deceived

They believed

In your bloodstained cross

All the prayers in this world

Won't help you now

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
belief /bɪˈliːf/ B2	noun - trust or confidence in the existence of something
relief /rɪˈliːf/ B2	noun - a feeling of comfort or reassurance after stress
breath /brɛθ/ A2	noun - the act of inhaling and exhaling air
dust /dʌst/ A1	noun - fine particles of matter from the ground or air
knees /niːz/ A1	noun - the joints in the leg that allow bending
door /dɔːr/ A1	noun - a movable barrier used to open and close entrances
darkness /ˈdɑːrk.nəs/ B1	noun - absence of light or illumination
soul /soʊl/ B2	noun - the spiritual or immaterial part of a person
power /ˈpaʊər/ B1	noun - the ability to do, control, or influence
abuse /əˈbjuːs/ C1	noun - cruel or violent treatment of a person or thing verb - to treat cruelly or violently
perverted /pərˈvɜːrtɪd/ C1	adjective - diverted from what is normal or right
twisted /ˈtwɪs.tɪd/ B2	adjective - pulled or deformed out of shape; distorted

Key Grammar Structures

• Gripping the strength of belief

  ➔ Present Participle as an adjective.

  ➔ "Gripping" here acts as an adjective modifying "the strength of belief", describing it as something that is being strongly held onto.

• Old tales and lies you trust

  ➔ Relative Clause with omitted relative pronoun (that/which).

  ➔ This can be rephrased as "Old tales and lies *that* you trust." The relative pronoun "that" is omitted.

• In the end there is no relief

  ➔ Existential "there is/are".

  ➔ The phrase "there is no relief" indicates the absence of relief. It shows existence or non-existence of something.

• Get up off your praying knees

  ➔ Imperative sentence.

  ➔ This sentence is a direct command. The subject (you) is implied.

• The door is about to slam shut

  ➔ be about to + infinitive (future intention/imminent event).

  ➔ "is about to slam shut" means that the action of the door slamming shut will happen very soon.

• Armageddon drawing near

  ➔ Present Participle clause, shortened from "Armageddon is drawing near".

  ➔ This is a reduced relative clause where "is" is omitted from "Armageddon is drawing near". "Drawing" describes Armageddon as it approaches.

• As darkness engulfs your soul

  ➔ Subordinating conjunction "as" indicating simultaneous action.

  ➔ "As" connects two simultaneous actions: Armageddon approaching and darkness engulfing the soul.

• All the prayers in this world Won't help you now

  ➔ Future Simple Negative ("won't" = will not) for prediction.

  ➔ "Won't help" expresses a prediction about the future: prayers will not be effective.