Tash (A Narnia Song)

Song: Tash
Music, Lyrics & Voices: Ai

[verse1]
In a land of dusty heat and spires that gleam,
The Calormenes live out their ancient dream.
They bow not to the gentle Lion's might,
But to a shadow, and a starless night.

The desert wind whispers a name like rust,
"Tash! Tash!" in chants of duty and of dust.
With prayers for vengeance and with words of dread,
They seek the favor of the vulture-head.

[verse2]
Their offerings laid on an altar of stone,
A kingly power they have never known,
A god with talons, and with hungry eyes,
Who takes their cruelties and hears their lies.

The high Tisroc, with an unblinking gaze,
Proclaims his bloodline from those ancient days.
For fear, not love, is what their faith defines,
And sacrifice, not grace, their sacred signs.

[verse3]
But unseen, unheard, a different truth holds sway,
For justice finds its mark, come what may.
The service done for evil and for greed,
Is tallied by the Lion, not the creed.

A form that floats, not walks, on withered grass,
Bringing a foul and freezing air to pass.
With vulture's beak and talons curved and black,
He follows those who walk a twisted track.

[verse4]
With four gaunt arms, a skeleton-like frame,
He is the horror no one dares to name.
He feasts on cruelty, and pride's dark sin,
And welcomes those who do his work within.

A darkness summoned by a fool's deceit,
To claim the false and make their end complete.
He is the Stone to Aslan's living Lion,
The bitter end to all the righteous tryin'.

[bridge]
So, when the call of "Tashlan" is proclaimed,
The truth is served, by lies and malice framed.
For vile deeds done in Aslan's holy name,
Are but the fuel that feeds Tash's flame.

[chorus]
With talons curved and four dark arms,
Tash floats on grass, whose verdure he harms.
He brings the cold and the stench of death,
And holds the Calormene in fear's breath.

His job is reaping souls of foulest deeds,
Accepting service sown from wicked seeds.
He takes his due from all who falsely claim,
But flees when banished in Aslan's name.