Ancient Rites

Thermopylae

Ancient Rites


Sons of Laconia, under Lycurgian law 
300 noblemen, ancient world in awe 
Facing Xerxes might, no hope for victory 
Still Persian blood coloured the Aegian Sea 

Go, tell the Spartans, stranger passing by, 
That here, obedient to their laws, we lie. 

Lacedaemon's mothers gave birth to men, 
Withstanding thousends again and again 
None will behold the Eurotas Valley no more 
This sacrifice needed to silence Persia's roar 

No matter how fierce the spirit or mind 
Blades striking, the kings' heart declined 
Round he spun, and down he fell 
No scream, no word, no cowardice yell 

Symbolic sacrifice, all for the Hellenic land 
Spartan codes of honour and inspiring guiding hand 

No Spartiate soul left alive to tell 
How bravely they fought, by treason they fell 
Not a stone on their turf, nor a bone in their graves 
They live on in history that immortally saves 

Go, tell the Spartans, stranger passing by, 
That here, obedient to their laws, we lie