1589 Lyrics – Powerwolf

[Verse 1: Powerwolf]
This verse recounts the events leading up to the trial and execution of Peter Stumpp, describing the nightmarish scene of his capture and the subsequent brutality he faced. The imagery of "hunted in hatred" and "deep in the night" conveys the dark and oppressive atmosphere of the period. Stumpp is depicted as a monstrous figure, "the beast" who is persecuted under the guise of justice. This portrayal reflects the widespread fear and superstition that characterized the era's witch hunts.

[Chorus: Powerwolf]
The chorus highlights the year 1589 as a pivotal moment when Peter Stumpp was executed. The repetition of "1589" underscores the historical significance and the dramatic nature of his death. The chorus also emphasizes the sacrificial aspect of the execution, framing it as an act carried out "in the name of the high and mighty" and marking the night with "torture awaits tonight." This reinforces the theme of violence and the grim reality of Stumpp's fate.

[Verse 2: Powerwolf]
In this verse, Powerwolf details the accusations against Stumpp, describing him as a murderer with lupine characteristics. The imagery of "women and children devoured" and "traces of the bites" creates a sense of horror and reinforces the mythological aspects of Stumpp's alleged crimes. The verse portrays him as a monstrous figure driven by madness and fever, adding to the narrative of a tormented and hunted individual.

[Chorus: Powerwolf]
The repetition of the chorus in this section continues to emphasize the execution of Peter Stumpp, reinforcing the sense of ritualistic violence and the historical context of his death. The focus remains on the dramatic and sacrificial nature of the event, highlighting the era's brutal methods of dealing with those accused of witchcraft and lycanthropy.

[Verse 3: Powerwolf]
The final verse describes the public spectacle of Stumpp's execution, with a crowd gathered to witness his beheading. The imagery of "burning flames of a pyre" and "the crowd they are roaring" captures the barbaric nature of the punishment and the public's role in the spectacle. The verse portrays Stumpp's death as a gruesome and widely witnessed event, symbolizing the era's obsession with punishment and control over perceived threats.