The Hemlock and the Cross

VERSE 1:

I walked the stones of Athens town

I posed my questions to confound

What is the good and what is true?

What makes men say the things they do?

They only looked within the frames

I saw the Forms behind the names

They asked for lies, I gave them doubt

They sealed my lips to shut me out

VERSE 2:

I never could accept their gods

My riddles challenged their facades

They feared the light within my eyes

And so they led me off to die

No army came, no sword was drawn

Just speechless friends at quiet dawn

I drank it calm, the bitter tea

The hemlock whispered, “Now you’re free”

CHORUS 1:

Why do we kill the ones who speak

The truth that they are first to seek?

We crown their silence with applause

Then praise their names, mistake their cause

The myths we make are blood-embossed

We bear The Hemlock and the Cross

VERSE 3:

I walked the hills of Galilee

Those starved for answers followed me

I said the poor shall wear the crown

I said the mighty must kneel down

They called me king, they called me liar

Their hearts were stone, their tongues were fire

I healed the sick, I fed the lost

They gave me nails and the cross

VERSE 4:

I spoke of love no law could bind

Of kingdoms built inside the mind

They cursed my name to keep their throne

And left me bleeding, all alone

Forgive them, Father—still I prayed

By closest friends I was betrayed

They twist my words, mistake my aim

Their churches desecrate my name

CHORUS 2:

Why do we kill the ones who speak

The truth that they are first to seek?

We build our faith on those we’ve wronged

We praise their names after they’re gone

The myths we make repent the loss

We bear The Hemlock and the Cross