DESCRIPTION:
Porphyra- "988AD: In the Time of Basil II Emperor of Byzantium" Official Lyric Video (Part 9 of 9).
From the album "Faith, Struggle, Victory."
The mother of all epics!!! The song that inspired "Porphyra, A Grecian Rock Opera: Anna and Vladimir: the Love that ROCKED the World."

Buy the album with original exclusive art at Porphyraband.com.
And get the digital download at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/porphyra
and on ITunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/porphyra/906248555
And worldwide digitally anywhere.

Chandler Mogel - Special Guest Vocalist
Keren Tzobotaro - Vocals
Anna Dok - Narration
Billy Chrissochos - Guitar
Mike "Risko" Savvas - Guitar, Tzoura
Jose Navia - Bass
Richard Khuzami - Percussion
Frank Pace - Drums

Recorded, Mixed and Mastered by Ethan Bill

To book Porphyra please contact: Billy Chrissochos 917-617-0597 www.Porphyraband.com
#Porphyra #Russianfolk #Katuysha #Metal #HardRock #AnnaandVladimir #PorphyraRockOpera #PrincessOlgaofKiev #AnnaPorphyrogennita #VladimirtheGreat #988AD #BasilTheBulgarslayer #TheRussianPrimaryChronicle #TheTaleofBygoneYears

Porphyra - "988AD: IN THE TIME OF BASIL II EMPEROR OF BYZANTIUM"
Duet between Vladimir, Grand Prince of Kiev,
and Princess Anna Porphyrogenita. LYRICS © 2014

Prologue:
Try to keep them, Poet
Those carnal visions of yours
However few of them there are that can be stilled,
As cryptic writings in your lines.
Try to hold them, Poet
When they come alive in your mind,
In the night or brightness of the noon.
Constantine P. Cavafy - Poet Laureate

Vladimir:
I am Vladimir the Grand Prince of Kiev
I ride on the wings of life
But the right to rule Milkagard
Stands an unattainable prize
Greek Fire and impenetrable walls
To Basil the Porphyrogenitos I stand tall
Until my pagan heart glimpsed up
To the brightest pearl of them all

Bridge
Vladimir: All roads lead to Constantinople ohhh
Azure skies and glimmering shadows, my beloved’s home

Vladimir:
While I thought I have been learning to live
I have been learning how to die
Why can’t anything stop this emptiness
Growing deep inside?
Take away these idols take them all away
She holds a consecrated key
For I am no longer desolate in heart
But inspired by Holy Flame I am free

Anna:
Two castaways trying to make some sense of this
I see a future in your eyes
Two castaways trying to make some sense of this
It’s not easy to dismiss

Bridge 1
Anna: My heart goes to Constantinople,always will belong
Azure skies and glimmering shadows are my heart’s home
Bridge 2
Vladimir: Anna can you hear my cries?
Anna: Can you feel my beating heart?
Vladimir: Can you feel my beating heart?
Screaming out your name?
Vladimir: Anna will you take my hand?
Anna: Will our people find peace?
Vladimir: Will our people find peace?
United we can!

Chorus:
Six thousand strong
Come the mighty Russians
To serve the one true king
Basil of Byzantium

Eternal is our king
The Lord of all of Greece
Eternal as the Sun
The one to bring us peace

Glory to our Emperor
Basil reigns supreme
From the Heart of Macedon
Across the mighty seas

Eternal is our king
The Lord of all of Greece
Eternal as the Sun
The one to bring us peace

Vladimir:
The aging of the body
Cuts like a cruel, cruel knife
I fear I’ll die alone
If scars portray my years
They won’t be in vain, can you hear my cry?
Poet you will sing about the day
We pledged our hearts my love and I
To the glorious empire of Greece
For what is man’s soul of culture deprived?

Anna:
This journey brought us here right where we’re supposed to be
Every time our eyes meet
This journey molded us right where we’re supposed to be
It has brought you here to me

Bridge 1
Anna: My heart goes to Constantinople,always will belong
Azure skies and glimmering shadows are my heart’s home
Bridge 2
Vladimir: Anna can you hear my cries?
Anna: Can you feel my beating heart?
Vladimir: Yes I still feel my beating heart, screaming out your name
Vladimir: Anna will you take my hand?
Anna- Yes so our lands can unite
Vladimir- Yes my love, so we can unite our lands

Chorus:
Six thousand strong
Come the mighty Russians
To serve the one true king
Basil of Byzantium

Eternal is our king
The Lord of all of Greece
Eternal as the Sun
The one to bring us peace

A Golden Age begun
Born from endless war
Under Vladimir & Anna
A Time of Peace and Love

Eternal is our king
The Lord of all of Greece
Eternal as the Sun
The one to bring us peace

Solo

Mid section
Anna: Father up above, give me courage
Give me hope, the strength to carry on
Vladimir: Children of Hellas,
The Phoenix rises, awaken now
Greece and Russia are one!

Chorus:
Six thousand strong
Come the mighty Russians
To serve the one true king
Basil of Byzantium

Eternal is our king
The Lord of all of Greece
Eternal as the Sun
The one to bring us peace

A Golden Age begun
One for all of us
The light of Greece will spread
Across the universe

Eternal is our king
The Lord of all of Greece
Eternal as the Sun
The one to bring us peace