Once upon a time, there was an island.
Once upon a time, there was a queen.
Once she lay in sleeping death, once she took her final breath –
And swore she’d never take a breath again.

Once upon a time, we lived in heaven.
Once upon a time, we could be free.
Once we thought that we were jailed, once we fled with bloody sails –
We swore we’d never let ourselves be fooled.

Once upon a time, upon the seashore
Once upon a time, beneath the trees
One more time, beyond the river
Flowing blood into the sea –
Once is past, now freedom cannot be.

Once upon a time, we were a family.
Once upon a time, we thought things out.
Once we pushed away from others, once we thought that you weren’t brothers –
We drifted into cold, unfeeling dark.

Once upon a time, I had a lover.
Once upon a time, I knew her well.
Once we set upon the march, once we put our friends to torch –
I knew I’d never see her face again.

Once upon a time, upon the seashore
Once upon a time, beneath the trees
One more time, beyond the river
Flowing blood into the sea –
Once is past, and now love cannot be.

Once upon a time, I lived in gladness.
Once upon a time, I lived for life.
Once he set his plan in motion, wove his words to deadly potion –
Despair came sneaking down into my heart.

Once upon a time, we wrought for beauty.
Once upon a time, we made to make.
Once the lust for wealth, not pleasure, filled our minds with deadly measures–
I never could find peace upon this earth.

Once upon a time, upon the seashore
Once upon a time, beneath the trees
One more time, beyond the river
Flowing blood into the sea –
Once is past, and now joy cannot be.