When the lion arrived, the war did start - a wicked day, indeed
'cause sweat and blood abounded - from all men and steed
See the daylight lay in ashes - while the dead are still
hear the armies roar for freedom - on the blackened border hill
The lion looks, looks across the plain - and questions battles in avoidable pain
heaves a wistfull sigh - and wishes the battle, the battle was a lie
Army of some thousand fighting - men climbed the frowning ridge
with their flaming swords all drawn free - and their pennants at the knee
Their waving of their banners - and the rattle of their spears
risen to break the dominion - and bring peace for years
Now at least i've come to see what my life is - nothing's ended, it only begun
and the brave victories that seemed so splendid - they were never, never really won
[chorus]
to border raid, to border raid in lions march
the battle smoke has fled
just after a century and a quarter past
tonight
we border raid - we border raid in lions march
the battle smoke has fled
just after a century and a quarter past
lord blessed by the dead
[chorus]