In July 1863
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A nation torn in tragedy
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A trick of fate, two great armies merge
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Gods of war at Gettysburg
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Devastation lies ahead
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50,000 bodies litter the land
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Hell rages three full days
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The reaper sows, there's the devil to pay
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The pressure's on and the reb's attack
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The yanks must hold, They can't fall back
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Just two brigades, 2000 strong
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Against 20,000 they can't hold long
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General Reynolds makes his way
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Expect no mercy from the iron brigade
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Until he shows they're on their own
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But Buford's men have a will of stone
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Bayonets gleam in the morning sun
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Smoke and fire belching from their guns
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Another volley and again they strike
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Thousands more comin' down Chambersburg pike
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[Chorus:]
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This tragedy and what it brings
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All the devastation
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(The reaper has his way)
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Men will kill, Blood will spill
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To preserve the nation
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(There's the devil to pay)
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South of town down the Emmitsburg road
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The first corps are starting to show
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For Buford's men, they're here just in time
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The desperate need to strengthen the line
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Bodies dropping the blue and the grey
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Muskets fire and cannon blaze
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The union fights defending the town
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But they're outnumbered and losing ground
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From the north and the west more rebels arrive
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Thousands more and the fight multiplies
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McPhearson's ridge and the black hats strike
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A rebel sharpshooter takes Reynolds life
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[Repeat Chorus]
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Attack! Attack! General Lee gives command
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They're overwhelmed, The situation demands
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The federals retreat and rush out of town
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But they have fortified and saved the high ground
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The day ends in victory for the south
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Lee's as convinced as God's will is profound
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They are invincible and their cause is just
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But Longstreet is cautious and lacking in trust
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Across the way the union digs in
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The round tops, Cemetery Ridge and out to Culps Hill
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Their lines are strong, no denying they'll stay
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When the confederates strike
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There'll be the devil to pay
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[Repeat Chorus]
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-----------------
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The Devil To Pay (July 1, 1863)
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| Iced Earth |
