Sign Of The Cross
Iron Maiden · From Fear To Eternity: The Best Of 1990-2010 [2011]
silhouettes stand against the sky
one in front with a cross held high
come to wash my sins away
Standing alone in the wind and rain
feeling the fear that is growing
Sensing the change in the tide again
caught by the storm that is brewing
Feel the anxiety hold off the fear
some of the doubt in the things you believe
Now that your faith will be put to the test
nothing to do but await what is coming
Why is then God still protecting me
even when I don't deserve it?
Though I am blessed with an inner strenght
some they would call it a penance
Why am I meant to face this alone
asking the question time and again
Praying to God won't keep me alive
Inside my head feel the fear start to rise...
They'll be saving their prayers when the moment comes
there'll be penance to pay when it's judgement day
And the guilty'll bleed when that moment comes
they'll be coming to claim, take your soul away
The sign of the cross
The name of the rose
A fire in the sky
The sign of the cross
They'll be coming to bring the eternal flame
They'll be bringing us all immortality
Holding comunion so the world be blessed
my creator, my God, lay my soul to rest
The sign of the cross
The name of the rose
A fire in the sky
The sign of the cross
Lost the love of heaven above
Chose the lust of the earth below
Eleven saintly shrouded men
Came to wash my sins away
About Sign Of The Cross
Iron Maiden's "Sign Of The Cross" stands as a defining anthem of their heavy metal legacy, originally recorded for the 1983 album *The Number of the Beast*. The track features the band's iconic Eddie character, depicted as a demonic figure wielding a cross, embodying the theatrical and dark themes central to their early discography. With its driving double-bass rhythm and soaring vocals from Bruce Dickinson, the song exemplifies the power metal style that propelled the band to global fame. It remains a staple of their live performances and has been featured on numerous greatest hits compilations, cementing its status as a classic rock staple. The song's enduring popularity highlights the band's ability to blend religious imagery with aggressive soundscapes, creating a memorable experience for decades of fans.