[Intro] Bring me the crown Empty and cold Bring me the vow Broken of old [Verse] They placed it before me on velvet of black A crown without jewel or light Its gold had been hollowed, its diamonds were cracked From centuries drinking the night I knew when I touched it my blood would not warm I knew I would never be free For queens who are forged in the heart of the storm Become what their kingdoms must be [Pre-Chorus] I did not ask For endless years I did not beg For holy tears [Chorus] I swear the oath of the hollow crown I bind my soul to the deep I guard the gate where the dark comes down I rule where the dead still weep I wear the oath of the hollow crown Between the flame and the grave If I must lose the dawn forever Then the world above I save [Verse] The saints in the crypt laid their hands on the floor The organ began without breath The throne rose in shadow behind the sealed door Between the living and death A voice from the old light was calling my name A terrible, beautiful sound It said only sorrow can master the flame And only the lost can be crowned [Pre-Chorus] I did not choose The endless night But I will stand Before its bite [Chorus] I swear the oath of the hollow crown I bind my soul to the deep I guard the gate where the dark comes down I rule where the dead still weep I wear the oath of the hollow crown Between the flame and the grave If I must lose the dawn forever Then the world above I save [Instrumental] Organ and choir circle the throne Guitars descend through iron and bone Strings rise like judgment from underground The hollow crown waits without sound [Bridge] Priest may betray me Kings may decay Churches may crumble Empires may stray But while my sorrow Carries the key The ancient darkness Will not pass through me [Breakdown] Crown without mercy Crown without sleep Crown of the promise The dead made me keep Crown without morning Crown without sun Oath of the hollow crown Now we are one [Build-up] Let the gate tremble Let the night kneel Let every wound Become my seal I will not break I will not bow The hollow crown Has chosen now [Chorus] I swear the oath of the hollow crown I bind my soul to the deep I guard the gate where the dark comes down I rule where the dead still weep I wear the oath of the hollow crown Between the flame and the grave If I must lose the dawn forever Then the world above I save [Chorus] I bear the oath of the hollow crown Let heaven hear my cry A queen may live beneath the world So humankind may not die I wear the oath of the hollow crown In shadow, flame, and stone I am no longer only myself I am the kingdom’s throne [Outro] Bring me the crown Empty and cold I take the vow I become gold