So by 'heavy song' this is what Jen means... here is part of the music for the song. Click on NEW TONES

https://www.facebook.com/evansandstokes/videos/2067254100239437/

Im working on something i think you can take from. Send it tomorrow.

Hi Jen. I assume you are writing about the First Crusade and the capture of Jerusalem? It's an amazing subject to write about. Whatever you think about the Crusades, the depth of faith that moved these people to achieve something so incredibly against the odds is something that has always fascinated me. Knowing the way you and John write, I think this could be incredibly fertile ground for you.

I have never been to Jerusalem, but I remember standing in the castle above Bouillon, a small town in Belgium, and being aware that I was standing where Godefroy de Bouillon must have stood before setting off on such an amazing quest. It seemed ridiculous that he could even have thought it possible.

The only quibble I would have with the lyric is the idea of them being sent to recapture Jerusalem. I don't think many people went unwillingly. How about replacing "sent" with "driven" or something along those lines?

Great suggestion Gavin. They certainly were driven. Thanks.

You've got it right. It is about the Crusades, but there's one aspect that you've missed concerning the perspective. I'll leave it unsaid for now and see if anyone else gets it. Thanks bud.

Thanks for the interest, Carroll. I am, of course, always interested in seeing what you come up with, but I should warn you that we're unlikely to use it at this stage. That said, I am not immovable so who knows.    ?

J

Ok, I think I know what you mean. I'll follow you in leaving it unsaid. Let's just say it's not the First Crusade. Something much more tragic.

Are you writing about the Crusades as a whole? That could be really epic - from the rallying cry of Pope Urban right up to the disaster of Hattin, Richard and Saladin and beyond. So much material!

Funny you should mention all that. We started out writing this one song and as we were deciding on the angle to take with it, we realized how epic the whole thing was and started talking about doing a bigger project on the subject at some later stage (after COG comes out in August). There are some amazing characters in that history that I'd love to bring to life in a song for sure.

Hey Tony. What does "abomination of desolation" refer to? Very very curious. 

Mathew 24:15-16.    If you figure that out, YOU'RE A GENIUS!! 

On a side note... have you ever read Dante's "Devine Comedy" ? 

Been a long time! Interesting read if you can get past the archaic language.

Its hard to fathom the strength of the church and Catholicism in the context of our modern world. In Medieval Europe life for all except a few wealthy was wretched and miserable. The hope of an after life was all most had to cling onto. The church and royalty both used this to manipulate the people. Winning back the Holy land was a grand gesture but the Crusades were more motivated by opportunities to gain wealth than anything else. Experience s in the Crusades opened the way for the Renaissance. The Arabs had retained a great deal of the knowledge from the Romans, Greeks and Persians and they had trade ties to the East.

I had to look that one up, Tony. 🙂 Seems fitting. It's probably how the Crusaders would have seen it.

Jen, since nobody else has picked up on it, I assume this is about the Children's Crusade? A great, meaty subject for a song - blind faith, innocence, folly, betrayal - although there's quite a lot of doubt that it actually happened. Or do I have that wrong, since the children were not really expecting to fight but to win just by turning up?

Posted by: ckiphen

Its hard to fathom the strength of the church and Catholicism in the context of our modern world. In Medieval Europe life for all except a few wealthy was wretched and miserable. The hope of an after life was all most had to cling onto. The church and royalty both used this to manipulate the people. Winning back the Holy land was a grand gesture but the Crusades were more motivated by opportunities to gain wealth than anything else. Experience s in the Crusades opened the way for the Renaissance. The Arabs had retained a great deal of the knowledge from the Romans, Greeks and Persians and they had trade ties to the East.

What I find ironic is that Islam seems to be following that same path of conquest today.....