The Mountain Goats — Hand Of Death

Rehearsing for the tournament of champions Somebody's going to have to cleanse the temple Train by moonlight all night Practice with a blindfold on Try not to think too hard about the neighbors Here on my balcony that overlooks the harbor Preparing to deploy the hand of death Preparing to deploy the hand of death Rest among the ruins of old empires Rise from my heavy sleep at sundown Byways on my pathways beckoning Stay focused on the target Feel close enough to taste its beating heart Hungry as a captive of the king Preparing to deploy the hand of death Preparing to deploy the hand of death Sure and steady Almost ready Remind myself to breathe, heed thou my counsel Skin and bones and blood and tender flesh There will be no return to these beginnings Preparing to deploy the hand of death Preparing to deploy the hand of death