Genesis:The Knife

“The Knife”
Artist:	Genesis
Albums:	Trespass (1970) Genesis Live (1973)

Tell me my life is about to begin
Tell me that I am a hero
Promise me all of your violent dreams
Light up your body with anger
Now, in this ugly world
it is time to destroy all this evil
Now, when I give the word
get ready to fight for your freedom
Now

Stand up and fight, for you know we are right
We must strike at the lies
That have spread like disease through our minds
Soon we'll have power, every soldier will rest
And we'll spread out our kindness
To all who our love now deserve
Some of you are going to die
Martyrs of course to the freedom that I shall provide

I'll give you the names of those you must kill
All must die with their children
Carry their heads to the palace of old
Hang them high, let the blood flow
Now, in this ugly world
break all the chains around us
Now, the crusade has begun
give us a land fit for heroes
Now

Stand up and fight, for you know we are right
We must strike at the lies
That have spread like disease through our minds
Soon we'll have power, every soldier will rest
And we'll spread out our kindness
To all who our love now deserve
Some of you are going to die
Martyrs of course to the freedom that I shall provide.

We are only wanting freedom
We are only wanting freedom
We are only wanting freedom
We are only wanting freedom ("Freedom, freedom, freedom, freedom...")
We are only wanting freedom ("Things are getting out of control here today")
We are only wanting freedom ("OK men - fire over their heads!")
We are only wanting freedom

Live version (1973)

The knife! The knife!

The knife.

Tell me my life is about to begin
Tell me that I am a hero
Promise me all of you violent dreams
I guarantee all you will need them
Now, in this ugly world
Get ready to fight for your freedom
Now, when I give the word
Get ready destroy all this evil
Now

Stand up and fight for you know we are right
We will strike at the lies
That have spread like disease through our minds
Soon we'll have won and we'll treasure this worth
With our winnings and kindness
To all who our love now deserve
Some of you are going to die
Martyrs of course to the freedom I will provide

I'll give you the names of those you must kill
Then have all burned and quickly
Cover them up in Trafalgar Square
Hurry to see, you'll see them dead
In this ugly world
Ready to fight for your freedom
Now, when I give a word
Hang 'em on high, let the blood flow
Now

Stand up and fight for you know we are right
We must strike at the lies
That have spread like disease through our minds
Soon we'll have won and we'll treasure this worth
With our winnings and kindness
To all who our love now deserve
Some of you are going to die
Martyrs of course to the freedom I will provide

We are only wanting freedom
We are only wanting freedom
We are only wanting freedom
We are only wanting freedom
We are only wanting freedom
We are only wanting freedom

We have won

Some of you are going to die
Martyrs of course to the freedom I will provide

Thank you.