You think I hide the truth from you
That I would bind your wings with lies
But I've seen what waits beneath the clouds
The screams that haunt eternal skies
You call it mercy, I call it war
I've watched the gates stained red before
You're too young to know the cost–
The blood we drown so Heaven's not lost

I see their faces when I close my eyes
The fire consuming, the endless cries
You say: Redemption: But I see decay
Hell's claws will drag our souls away!

These are the chains of Heaven, forged in fear
The rules we keep so the light stays clear
I've carried torment you'll never bear
And I'll damn a thousand souls to keep you there
You call me cruel, you call me blind
But I see horrors burning in my mind
If love means shielding you from Hell's embrace
Then I'll play the monster to keep you safe

Lucifer's fall was just the start
One spark that tore our world apart
He swore of freedom, of mortal choice
Now Hell screams back with a billion voices
I won't lose you, Emily, to that fire
Your innocence fuels my one desire
Better you hate me, curse my name
Than watch your halo consumed in flame

You think me heartless, but I'm afraid
A thousand ghosts in my veins engraved
Their claws reach higher with every year
And only slaughter keeps them clear

These are the chains of Heaven, forged in fear
The rules we keep so the light stays clear
I've carried torment you'll never bear
And I'll damn a thousand souls to keep you there
You call me liar, you call me lost
But I've seen what mercy truly costs
If doubt makes angels fall from grace
Then I'll wear damnation to keep you safe

Do you see their hands, clawing from the pit?
Do you hear their wails when the trumpets hit?
Every smile you bring would be torn away
If I let redemption have its say

These are the chains of Heaven, rusted steel
They cut my hands but they make us heal
I'll bear the nightmares, I'll wear the blame
If it keeps your halo free from flame
Hate me, despise me, turn away
But you'll live to see another day
I'll walk through madness, I'll bear the shame
If that's the price, then let me be insane

I'll be the monster, I'll take the fall
Just don't follow him, don't follow at all