"The Last Rung On The Ladder" lyrics

One, two

We're at the last rung on the ladder
The sun's about to set
The cobra and the adder
Have eyes on the neighbor's pet
The radio's gone silent
All the DJs have been shot
The flags all fly at half-mast
For reasons we forgot

There's a petrol fire in Heaven
There's no bottom to the well
And the bastards always give in
To those who kill what they can't sell
So raise a glass, it's over
Drop a penny in the pot
And don't think you'll be forgiven
For reasons we forgot

We're at the last rung on the ladder
The sun's about to set
The cobra and the adder
Have eyes on the neighbor's pet
The radio's gone silent
All the DJs have been shot
The flags all fly at half-mast
For reasons we forgot

There's nothing on the radar
The files have been erased
They've pulled down all the faders
And cut the power just in case
There's no one in the bell tower
The court has been adjourned
The judge and jury came and went
The verdict overturned
To the palace march the wicked
To the gallows march the brave
While pity, peace, and patience
Gone for good in unmarked graves

We're at the last rung on the ladder
The sun's about to set
The cobra and the adder
Have eyes on the neighbor's pet
The radio's gone silent
All the DJs have been shot
The flags all fly at half-mast
For reasons we forgot

The ocean's dead and empty
The sky's choked with fumes
There's a bullet hole in the sentry
The king bathes in cheap perfume
Anna shut her eyes tight
Said a prayer and heard a voice
Dug out her father's Winchester
And Anna made the choice

She's at the last rung on the ladder
The sun's about to set
The cobra and the adder
Have eyes on the neighbor's pet
The radio's gone silent
All the DJs have been shot
The flags all fly at half-mast
For reasons we forgot

There's bodies in the river
Excuses in the press
And the ones who can't deliver
Are the ones you must impress
With a low bow and a curtsey
In the hopes you've passed the test
By the time you've bent the knee, son
The wolf's hungry for you next