The Talisman

Iron Maiden

When I stand and look about the port 
And contemplate my life will I ever see my countrymen again 
As the captain calls us on the deck 
I take my things and walk 
To the harbourside I glance back one last time 

Fleeing our nation our problems we leave behind 
Ships by the tenfold sail out on the tide 
We are pleased to be out and embracing the open sea 
Free from our troubles 
And more free from thee 

Inheritors unfulfilled reason behind us 
We flee from what is not what is will be 
We flee the earth and face our harsh reality 
Will death be low mist that hangs on the sea 

We run from evil tongues rash judgements selfish men 
Never to be seen on these shores again 

As we sail into oceansize 
And lose sight of land 
A face of contentment 
Around in the air 
We're off now to seek all our fortunes 
To the land of our dreams 

Riding the waves and the storm is upon us 
The winds lash the sails but the ropes keep them tight 
Off in the distance a dark cloud approaching 
None could imagine what there was to come 
No there's no one going back 
No there's not a second chance 
As we strap onto the side 
We pray to God that we won't die 

As we ride the rough seas 
As we soak from the ocean waves 
I just hope for all our lives 
And pray that I survive 

Four ships are lost in the stormy conditions 
The spirits of the sunken crews 
Their phantoms follow us 

Spirits sail they drive us on 
Through the all consuming waves 
Cold mortality no weapon 
Against these ever raging seas 

Four leagues and ten and we hit storms again 
We just can't get away from the eye of the storm 

The birds outsoar the raging storm 
But we cannot escape it 
Abandoned earth that we now crave 
Is many leagues from safe 

Holding on for our dear lives 
And we're praying once again 
Rotten luck or just jonahed 
The talisman is in my hand 

Limbs fatigued trembling with cold 
Blinded from the sea spray salt 
Clasping anything we can hold 
Heaven's rain upon us falls 

Twenty days without a meal 
And ten without fresh water still 
Those that didn't die in storms 
The scurvy rest did slaughter 

Westward the tide 
Westward we sail on 
Westward the tide 
Sail by the talisman 

We approach the other side 
Of the ocean with the tide 
In our favour just for once 
Welcome greeting our new land 
The elation in our hearts 
The excitement in our veins 
As we sail towards the coastline 
Of our golden promised land 

Weary limbs fatigued away 
I have no life left in me 
No more strength and nothing left to give 
Must find the will to live 

Never thought that we could make it 
Truly sight of shores divine 
The sickness I am dying from 
Never wanted it to end this way 

Westward the tide 
Westward we sail on 
Westward the tide 
Sail by the talisman