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Shake Hands With a Knife

from Ashbreather by Ashbreather

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lyrics

(5/4 Verse)
I'd rather go and shake hands with a knife
Than have a blade be plunged in my chest
And feel the hot blood run down my arms
Than pour my life out a hole in my breast
I'd rather go and shake hands with a knife
Than have a sword be thrust in my heart
Firm grip, remain do I in martyred silence
This is not the end, but that would be a good start

(Clean Verse)
I've found myself standing in a pool of
Blood, watching as the floor around me grows dark
Red, pull your hands away the damage has been
Done hang me up, just to see me dried and bled

(Fast 5/4 Verse)
Cleaving the skin and sliding the blade beneath the surface
Tugging at tendons, ripping the sinews bleeding worsens
Tightening grip, a twist and a slip of flesh and dagger
Pain like a fire, agony dire, as blood spatters
Seizing the edge, and pushing against the hilt in desper-
-ation to live, by grabbing your shiv return to sender
Look in the eye, a flicker of light, reflects from your steel
Swiveling down, to come up around, this wound will not heal

(Fast 4/4 Verse)
They always said I had a death grip on life
Now I'm clinging for survival on the edge of a blade
And you should never shake hands with a knife
But it's not my fault the way the cards were played
Consider this a professional courtesy
A gamble's not a gamble with an ace up your sleeve
I won't be falling on a sword tonight
And I won't rest until it's you that bleeds

(Bridge)
Do you feel it cut?
Do you feel it slash?
Do you feel it cleave the skin to form a gash?
Do you feel it rip?
Do you feel it tear?
Do you feel it pierce your heart to disrepair

(Acoustic Verse 1)
Don't be so eager if you're First to play
You're that much closer to the First mistake
A reckless man lives a life with no regrets
If safety's what you're willing to forsake

(Acoustic Bridge 1)
Be still now, there's nothing left to see

(Acoustic Verse 2)
A stranger's life reflected from his fingertips
With but the time for a shriek of panicked breath
A swift assault that paints the night in crimson red
You were the one who came to me in search of death

(Acoustic Bridge 2)
Be still now, for soon you shall be free

(Outro Verse)
This is not my time
To shed this coil
When this injustice
Makes my blood boil
I have been tempered
By this bloodletting
Blessed by this moment
Not worth forgetting
Lying in anguish
This crimson river
Drowning in lifeblood
Watching you wither
Consequence fatal
You reap what you sow
You hold the dagger
But it's your funeral
Into remission
Pupils releasing
Heart losing spirit
This life is ceasing
This will to resist
May have saved my life
But you still should not
Shake hands with a knife

credits

from Ashbreather, released April 10, 2020

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Ashbreather Montreal, Québec

December 2016 was the birth of progressive sludge/death metal group, Ashbreather, featuring former members of The Wild Hunt.

As of January 2021, the band has become a trio with each member sharing vocal duties, and throwing in non-traditional metal instruments into their music. ... more

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