Songtext
Iron, Cold Iron is Master of Men All
[Instrumental Intro] [Verse] Gold is for the mistress - silver for the maid" - Copper for the craftsman cunning at his trade! " " Good! " said the Baron, sitting in his hall, [Chorus] But Iron - Cold Iron - is master of them all." [Verse] So he made rebellion 'gainst the King his liege, Camped before his citadel and summoned it to siege. " Nay! " said the cannoneer on the castle wall, [Chorus] " But Iron - Cold Iron - shall be master of you all! " [Verse] Woe for the Baron and his knights so strong, When the cruel cannon-balls laid 'em all along; He was taken prisoner, he was cast in thrall, [Chorus] And Iron - Cold Iron - was master of it all. [Verse] Yet his King spake kindly (ah, how kind a Lord!) " What if I release thee now and give thee back thy sword? " " Nay! " said the Baron, " mock not at my fall, [Chorus] For Iron - Cold Iron - is master of men all." [Verse] " Tears are for the craven, prayers are for the clown Halters for the silly neck that cannot keep a crown." " As my loss is grievous, So my hope is small, [Chorus] For Iron - Cold Iron - must be master of men all! " [Verse] He took the Wine and blessed it. He blessed and brake the Bread. With His own Hands He served Them, and presently He said: ‘See! These Hands they pierced with nails, outside My city wall, [Chorus] Show Iron, Cold Iron, to be master of men all.’ [Verse] ‘Wounds are for the desperate, blows are for the strong. Balm and oil for weary hearts all cut and bruised with wrong. I forgive thy treason — I redeem thy fall — [Chorus] For Iron, Cold Iron, must be master of men all!’ [Verse] ‘Crowns are for the valiant — sceptres for the bold! Thrones and powers for mighty men who dare to take and hold!’ ‘Nay!’ said the Baron, kneeling in his hall, [Chorus] ‘But Iron — Cold Iron — is master of men all! Iron out of Calvary is master of men all!’ [Outro] If today you hear His voice, harden not your hearts.