Listen Now (Battle Song)
The exact origin of this battle song is unknown but it is fairly well known around the world. Naiya'Nal even learned this song during her training as a Dark Witch and sang it while fighting at the Battle of Nasad.
The basic idea behind the song is that the singer is defending a hilltop during the night and longs for victory and the morning's light. The first and second stanzas tell of the singer's confidence that they will survive the conflict. The third stanza tells what would happen should the singer fail. The fourth stanza reaffirms that the singer is resolute and will overcome all adversity. The chorus about the drums is optional and usually left out. If it is sung, it is either after each verse or at the end of the song. It seems to mention that the conflict does not involve merely one defender, but that the conflict is between two armies.
Lyrics
Chorus
Listen now to the drums as they gather,
Listen now as they beat to our fight,
Listen now to the drums in the distance,
Listen now as they beat through the night.
Verses
Here I stand upon this hilltop, the sword in my hand my foes will stop.
The steel flashes as they close, their bodies fall beneath my blows.
Our battle rages through the dark night, and all will welcome morning light.
When I have cast the single shadow, my victory the world will know.
Now as I stand upon this hilltop, the sword in my hand will never drop.
I stand as a wall they cannot shove, since I defend the world I love.
Yet even though my hope may fail, I am the one who will prevail.
Then I will welcome the morning sun, and it will prove that I have won.
My enemy wants to stand on my hilltop; my enemy wants my will to stop.
Then with my sword on the ground beside me, I'd raise my eyes the dawn to see.
With one last breath my life will fade, and all around will turn to shade.
My foe would cast the single shadow, no victory for the world to know.
Still I stand upon this hilltop, and all around my foes will drop.
Though steel dulls and shields shatter, I'll feel relief as my foes scatter.
Tonight I fight beneath the bright stars; tomorrow I have to tend my scars.
The night will dim with dawn in sight, and I will remain in the morning's bright light.
This song © 2009 Ben Hinks
