When Pope Urban II made his speech at Clermont in 1095 he most likely didn't anticipate unleashing a chain of events whose effects would still be felt in the 21st century, but here we are. The song's lyrics throw out a bunch of questions about the crusader's motivations and alluded to some of the basic historic details. The line about burning the Rhine highlights the anti-Semitic violence that occurred during the First Crusade. It was important to me to show not only the clash between Christian and Turk, but also Christian and Jew.
lyrics
Who were these men that made the long walk?
Through the wilds of Europe to the doorstep of God
Do you suppose they thought they were right?
A sense of burning justice to keep them warm at night
The stone has been turned, the lion unleashed
Your Crusades are an undying beast
Words at Clermont turned to action of men
Set out with greed to conquer Turk again
Burning the Rhine was part of their crime
All cruelties come in nursery rhymes
The stone has been turned, the lion unleashed
And your Crusades are an undying beast