Badajoz

After twenty nights, the guns lie still
The calm before the storm
The waiting men prepare themselves
For the carnage yet to come

Three months since, in blood and fire
Ciudad Rodrigo fell
If into Spain we are to march
This beast must fall as well

The breach is steep, the ditch is deep
Above the Frenchmen wait
But Marshal Soult is drawing near
There is no time to waste

Wellington knows that he must act
Attack and damn the cost
The orders travel down the line
The Devil laughs at Badajoz

They climb into the teeth of guns
Towards the waiting blades
Advancing soldiers torn apart
By bullets and grenades

A constant hail of cannon fire
And bullets from above
Climb your comrades' corpses and
The rubble slick with blood

The breach is calling

Reform, storm again
On this night of bloodshed
Once more to the breach
The fortress must fall

Reform, storm again
Straight into the mouth of Hell
Once more to the breach
To die

Shots and screams are deafening
In this place where Death is king
Suddenly there comes a shout
The tide begins to turn about

Men are in the castle now
The third division, God knows how
One red jacket on the pole
The time has come, the city falls

The breach still calling

Reform, storm again
On this night of bloodshed
Once more to the breach
The fortress must fall

Reform, storm again
Straight into the mouth of Hell
Once more to the breach
To die

'Cross the walls the soldiers stream
And in the streets begin the screams
Blood-drunk soldiers that survived
Now cast their consciences aside

Terror of the drunken mob
Civilians murdered, raped and robbed
Britain's army's honour stained
Let history not forget their shame