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The Ritual - Red Edition (feat. Merle Dandridge, Laura Bailey, Abubaker Salim & Troy Baker)

from Stray Gods by Austin Wintory, Tripod & Montaigne

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lyrics

We let them rise
We let it happen
We waited far too long
We thought we shouldn’t intervene
We were wrong
We were wrong

Since the beginning we were hidden
We held court from up above
T’was the Golden age of reason
And I, the Queen of Love

But a plague of hate was spreading
And there were vultures standing by
Before we fell to our knees begging
We fell from the sky

We let them rise
We let it happen
We waited far too long
We thought we shouldn’t intervene
We were wrong
We were wrong

Our so-called brother, Ares
Sold his soul forevermore
For he so loved the military
He became their dog of war
He denounced his loving family
And with mortal guns and greed
On a plate gladly delivered
Everything that war dogs need

He betrayed us and we let him
With their mortal souls long gone
We thought we were untouchable
We were wrong
We were wrong

I can feel we have the vigor
Of an idol coming in
Be wary as they’ll find you too
And tear you limb from limb
Torture you and spit at you
Parade you in a square
I thought my life was over
Then a God answered my prayer

The man that I ignored
Saved me when I fell
Yes, the husband I abhorred
Rescued me from hell

I thought it was a joke when it was said to me
He struck a deal with our enemy’s enemy
Made a secret weapon, so my captors let me go

He gave up his freedom leaving just a memory
And this love I’ll never know is what he gave to me

I’ve got to say that I’m amazed
I held my tongue for so long
Not such a fan of this whole plan
But who’s to say that you’re wrong
Now should a God erase a memory
When there’s no chance of changing history? (Ch-ch-ch-change)

This guy that sacrificed his life
So you can live in his place
Wish he’d drop by, ‘cause man I’d die
To see the look on his face
You try to hide from your reality
But then come back with regularity
And if you notice a disparity
Then what’s the meaning of his legacy?

Everybody!
Who gives a damn about your suffering?
Everybody!
Who wants to see you be yourself again?
Everybody!
Who feels your pain in case you’re wondering?
Everybody!
You got the time but it’s stut-stuttering
Everybody wants to see you fall in love

I can’t place your face
So let me give you a hand
An Idol should embrace
The things they don’t understand
And you don’t get it

My mind’s a falling city
Buildings crumbling down
What is more the pity
All I hear is the sound
Bombs blanketing the ground
A screaming so profound
And you want to play around
Well, you offend

Everybody!
Is insulted by your acrimony
Everybody!
Wants to wallow in my testimony
Everybody!
So who is ready for a ceremony?
Everybody!
I’ll be siding with the everybodies
Everybody wants to see you fall in love

I never thought you’d let it get this way
I’ve stood by watching what we’ve built decay
We’re just pretending that the ending is near
Mother, isn’t it clear?
Your family’s here

Everybody!
Can see the agony you’re going through
Everybody!
Knows a goddess is inside of you
Everybody!
Keeps repeating what they’re meant to do
Everybody!
I’ve got to stop it just to prove to you
Everybody wants to see you fall in love

Everybody!
Who’s going to help me overcome the war?
Everybody!
Who's going to be there when I’m on the floor?
Everybody!
Who’s going to cry when I walk out the door?
Everybody!
Cause I’m not going to do this anymore
Everybody wants to see you
Wants to see you
Fall in love
Again

credits

from Stray Gods, released August 10, 2023
Cowritten by Austin Wintory & Tripod
Produced by Austin Wintory & Joris Hoogsteder

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Austin Wintory Los Angeles, California

25% (or more) of the income here is used to support the non-profit Education Through Music - Los Angeles (www.etmla.org).

Thank you for helping me support this extremely important organization!

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