Sign Of The Cross

Album: The X Factor (1995)
Play Video
  • Eleven saintly shrouded men
    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 then is god still protecting me
    Even when I don't deserve it
    Thought I am blessed with an inner strength
    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

    They'll be saying their prayers when the moment comes
    There'll be penance to pay when it's judgment day
    And the guilty'll bleed when the 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 communion so the world be blessed
    My creator my God'll 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

    The sign of the cross
    The name of the rose
    A fire in the sky
    The sign of the cross

    The name of the rose
    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 Writer/s: Stephen Percy Harris
    Publisher: BMG Rights Management
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 12

  • Jdubbs from TorontoI actually think this is the one song I prefer to hear Blaze on over Bruce. It’s his song. Bruce doesn’t do it justice live
  • Ryan from TexasGreat track. Amazing lyrics and riffs. I saw Iron Maiden perform it on the Legacy of the Beast Tour in 2019 in Houston. Absolutely amazing show!
  • Mike from U.s.a.It's a great song, well written instrumentally and lyrically. But Blaze doesn't quite fit. It feels his delivery here just falls flat. Maybe it was cause he was replacing Bruce who is a god when it comes to singing, and his natural theatrical style in all he does. But hearing him sing it at Rock In Rio, and even seeing him do this live, just shows Blaze had no real power in his delivery of the song. Blaze is a good singer, this just wasn't where he fit.
  • Jeet from New Delhi, IndiaHi,
    It's a great song to listen to.
    Although I'm not totally sold on the idea of it's connection to the Jean Jacques Annaud film 'The name of the rose', as is referred to by Fillipo from Italy.

    It's sound carries a lot straight-forward/ Raw approach to the beliefs of an individual with an inclination towards the higher powers of age old prophecies with a moral background towards righteousness.

    ..anyway, thats how i like to listen to it.
    Could come across to others in different variations.

    Happy listening!
  • Ryan from Bethany, OkI don't like Blaze Bayley. I like hearing songs from the Bayley era with Bruce on vocals.
  • Damien from Edmonton, CanadaThe X Factor is an awful album. Not because of Blaze, not because of the production but because of the lyrics. I usually like their anti-religious lyrics, but here we just get some guy complaining because apparently God doesn't like him and wants his faith back (This song is one of them). Virtual XI sucked too, but that was because of the production...
  • Ringgo from Montclair, CaGreat song, although i always thought of this as a bad intro for Blaze to the band since the majority of the tune is given to instrumentals and not Bayley's singing. And Bruce Dickinson did an awesome job of singing it at "Rock in Rio".
  • Billy from Otway, OhI like this song. Makes me think about a huge Holy Battle.
  • Devon from Westerville, Ohthis song is insane. I love the version on rock in rio. Maiden is the best.
  • Cads from London, EnglandPlayed live on the X-Factour 95/96 and Brave New World Tour 2000/01
  • Shelly from Kent, Englandiron maiden rock. the album the x factor is brilliant i just love the song sign of the cross the intro is wicked even if it is 2 mins long. its not the lenght of the song that matters its how it is played and sung. this goes for all maiden's music the song no more lies is a good song only it has no proper chorus the band are great and bruce dickinson is a wicked singer.
  • IngÃ?lfur from ReykjavÃ?k, Icelandi just love this song. One of Maiden's best songs, live and studio.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Queen

QueenFact or Fiction

Scaramouch, a hoople and a superhero soundtrack - see if you can spot the real Queen stories.

Gary LeVox

Gary LeVoxSongwriter Interviews

On "Life Is A Highway," his burgeoning solo career, and the Rascal Flatts song he most connects with.

Justin Hayward of The Moody Blues

Justin Hayward of The Moody BluesSongwriter Interviews

Justin wrote the classic "Nights In White Satin," but his fondest musical memories are from a different decade.

Kip Winger

Kip WingerSongwriter Interviews

The Winger frontman reveals the Led Zeppelin song he cribbed for "Seventeen," and explains how his passion for orchestra music informs his songwriting.

Dean Friedman - "Ariel"

Dean Friedman - "Ariel"They're Playing My Song

Dean's saga began with "Ariel," a song about falling in love with a Jewish girl from New Jersey.

Charlie Benante of Anthrax

Charlie Benante of AnthraxSongwriter Interviews

The drummer for Anthrax is also a key songwriter. He explains how the group puts their songs together and tells the stories behind some of their classics.