The Devil To Pay lyrics

In July 1863

A nation torn in tragedy

A trick of fate, two great armies merge

Gods of war at Gettysburg

Devastation lies ahead

50,000 bodies litter the land

Hell rages three full days

The reaper sows, there's the devil to pay

The pressure's on and the reb's attack

The yanks must hold, They can't fall back

Just two brigades, 2000 strong

Against 20,000 they can't hold long

General Reynolds makes his way

Expect no mercy from the iron brigade

Until he shows they're on their own

But Buford's men have a will of stone

Bayonets gleam in the morning sun

Smoke and fire belching from their guns

Another volley and again they strike

Thousands more comin' down Chambersburg pike

[Chorus:]

This tragedy and what it brings

All the devastation

(The reaper has his way)

Men will kill, Blood will spill

To preserve the nation

(There's the devil to pay)

South of town down the Emmitsburg road

The first corps are starting to show

For Buford's men, they're here just in time

The desperate need to strengthen the line

Bodies dropping the blue and the grey

Muskets fire and cannon blaze

The union fights defending the town

But they're outnumbered and losing ground

From the north and the west more rebels arrive

Thousands more and the fight multiplies

McPhearson's ridge and the black hats strike

A rebel sharpshooter takes Reynolds life

[Repeat Chorus]

Attack! Attack! General Lee gives command

They're overwhelmed, The situation demands

The federals retreat and rush out of town

But they have fortified and saved the high ground

The day ends in victory for the south

Lee's as convinced as God's will is profound

They are invincible and their cause is just

But Longstreet is cautious and lacking in trust

Across the way the union digs in

The round tops, Cemetery Ridge and out to Culps Hill

Their lines are strong, no denying they'll stay

When the confederates strike

There'll be the devil to pay

[Repeat Chorus]

• Artist:Iced Earth
• Album:The Glorious Burden