The Hangman’s Hatch (Vulture Industries)

Nine coffins lined against the wall Nine black suits lay ready for all Nine future widows wearing jet-black shawls Nine men waiting for the hangman's call Sobs and prayers sounded through the hall Some glorious flag waved proud and tall Paying homage to the justice about to befall Those men waiting for the hangman's call The trail they followed, heads bent low Nine condemned men, a downtrodden foe From door to scaffold so that all shall know Where instigators and their likes eventually go Hatches opened one by one Ropes sprung tight as all nine swung along The flock cheeered in unison song In gracious sympathy for all the nine had wronged Big, small, short and tall All men equal at the hangman's call Who, why, where, from whence you fall It's all indifferent when the hangman calls Hatches opened one by one Ropes sprung tight as all nine swung along The flock cheeered in unison song In gracious sympathy for all the nine had wronged Young and old, feint or bold Just or vile, wrong or right Big and small, short or tall All men are equal to the hangman's call Big, small, short and tall All men equal at the hangman's call Just or vile, wrong or right It's all relative to when the noose draws tight Colours change, the new hang higher Radiant like the ideas they represent red, blue, black, whatever pleases It all turns to grey when the hangman's hatch descends A new day and a new standard hung high For nine other men the end is pretty nigh Doomed for paying homage to what befell Those men who perished at the hangman's spell Hatches opened one by one Ropes sprung tight as all nine swung along The flock cheeered in unison song In gracious sympathy for all the nine had wronged