raise the alarm

is this just bad luck, or is this some curse?

the walls were shaking, the sky was breaking, and my heart flew in reverse

we heard not a drum roll, no warning bells from on high

but now we were caught here, the quarry of sport here - here we could die

and what was that flash that blinded my eyes, and the sound of a bombshell, or worse?

it must’ve meant we were the centre of the whole damned universe

the cool gigavolt of wrath divine that pierced the brighton night

could easily destroy us, the weak and impious - bring us to rights

for the lord, he throws his thunder

what a holy sign to see

and the mortal man must wonder

how can this be?

i don’t know, no, i don’t know, i don’t know the reasons, but that won’t keep me from harm

i’m here to confess now, i’m saying my prayers now, raise the alarm

it was a simultaneous climax, yes, the sound and light were as one

god’s electric orgasm ended just as soon as it had begun

“how have we offended thee, that thou smitest us this way?

were we such sinners? was satan in us?” was all we could say

for the lord, he throws his thunder

what a holy sign to see

and the mortal man must wonder

why now? why me?

he moves in a million mysterious ways his wonders to perform

but if he made us free now, then i choose to flee now, and raise the alarm

yeah the lord, he throws his thunder

what a holy sign to see

and the mortal man must wonder

how can this be?

o pater de cœlis deus, miserere nobis, and spare us from harm

i’m down on my knees now, everyone that sees now, raise the alarm

written by tom yates 2 january 2007

tom yates - vocal, guitar, bass, hammond organ, drums, cello