---

One early Christmas morning

I was awakened, by church bells

I looked outside my window

Saw a light shining from the church doors

Service, was about to begin. I must hurry

I took my lantern

To light my way through the dark, down the hill

When I got there

It was very silent and I couldn't see faces

Everyone was hooded, chanting prayers

The priest dressed in gray?

A person guided me to a seat

And as I sat no one greeted me

My guide sat next to me

And through back his hood

BREAK

As I turned to thank him

I lost my words, it was my dead brother

He was silent

I cried out, "You're the dead"

The singing stopped

Everyone's hood was pulled back

I recognized some faces

They tried to grab me

My brother said, "They've heard you".

"Run before they get you"

I stepped out of the aisle

And hurried for the door

I could smell the earth

And the stench of death

They even took my scarf

I went to the priest and told him of my tale

He led me back to the church

With a crucifix

The church was empty now

Peaceful now

The scarf lay, near the door

Torn and clawed

Beyond recognition

(THE HOODED CONGREGATION IS THE DEAD!)