Full forty years and over this task have I done
Ate the meal from off the corpse before the requiem.
The 'sin-eater' of the county. I eat their sins with the wine & bread
And with take unto my self the sins of all the dead.But who is there to take it on? Where now can I turn?
For if no one steps forth for me in Hell's cold fire I'll burn.
The sins of hundreds gone I carry in my soul
What happens when the 'sin-eater' lies cold beneath his pall?
With sins as countless as the stars, murder, lust & hate
Will anyone step forward my legacy to take?

The 'Death Song' they are keening, so to me they call
Yet they'll cross to the other side fore my shadow on them falls.
Will they watch my spirit flee bearing this black load
the sins of generations past to be judged before the Lord?

For this task you were chosen, so do not your duty shun
For the only one to eat my sins is you my only son.

Eat the bread, and drink the wine, as the priest at my mass
The choice my son is in your hand, do not let this chalice pass.
Or you condemn your father's soul to Hell and black despair.
My son in love, I beg of you take up this cross to bear.
Are you here to take it on? Unto you may I turn?
For if you don't step forth for me in Hell's cold fire I'll burn

Who is there to take it on? Where now can I turn?
Or in Hell's fire, in Hell's cold fire, in Hell's cold fire I burn.