When The Dream Fades

[Verse] A red flag once crested beyond the eastern skyline The iron heart pounding like an old ghost’s tired time Heard whispers in the alley Shadows in the square Of a dream that faltered Caught in the false glare [Verse 2] Frost on the windows And ancient candle glow A mother holds her child Whispers voices from below The songs sung in secret 'neath shroud of bitter night Now lie scattered like shards in the cold morning light [Chorus] When the dream fades Like smoke from the chimney brave The visions once molded Now crumble at the grave Echoes of our fathers Caught in that iron ring No more voices raised To that half-measured hymn [Verse 3] Cities built from stone Now shells of broken might Halls once filled with fervor Now empty in the light Statues stand in silence No honor on their face A world once bound in fire Now lost without a trace [Verse 4] Snow covers the trenches Burying screams and pain The crimson tide receded Leaving just the stain Old men by the fire Tell tales of fallen stars Of promises unkept And men behind steel bars [Chorus] When the dream fades Like smoke from the chimney brave The visions once molded Now crumble at the grave Echoes of our fathers Caught in that iron ring No more voices raised To that half-measured hymn