This alternate mix of The Ballad of the Pale Christ was originally released in 1988 on a split single with fellow industrial act Nurse With Wound, who C93 had collaborated with many times in the past. The single is titled “Faith’s Favourites” and was released in a limited batch of 2,500.
On bended knees we pray for war, a blade draws blood but often tarnishes
Through blazing eyes I see new sunsets, sky now breaking different shades of red
We beg for blades, ablazing locusts call for wars to wet the earth
To cover the world in black and bracken, flaming stubble with churchbell battles
And then I lie in the arms of a smiling girl who prays to Christ and the pale
Queens mighty in sorrow
Mighty in sorrow
Mighty in sorrow
Mighty in sorrow
Mighty in sorrow
When did I stand before I touched the shadows of this life that touch the dark
And dream of ice
An endlеss winter in this dogday-age, I kiss the cross but drеam of wars
A bagatelle for a massacre or wars of fire were built to last
Old men die and stone will turn to stone
And then I kiss the lips of a smiling girl who calls on Christ and the pale
Queens mighty in sorrow
Mighty in sorrow
Mighty in sorrow
Mighty in sorrow
Mighty in sorrow
Immaculate heart of immaculate love a tawdry scarecrow for a tarnished crown
His five wounds bleed but only on his throne, his toothless smile cuts wide
Across his face
And then I lie in the arms of a smiling girl who prays to Christ and the pale
Queens mighty in sorrow
Mighty in sorrow
Mighty in sorrow
Mighty in sorrow
Mighty in sorrow
And what shall I receive a little drum to beat when I march with scorched
Earth's steps
A rocking horse for a little warrior to trample around and down from fields of
Rape
An alabaster doll for the little maid while she waxes and wanes through the
Blood of the moon
And camouflaged smocks for the purest of pure, a masculine mark, and the flag of their shame
And I’ll die in the arms of the smiling girl who prays to Christ and the pale queens
Mighty in sorrow
Mighty in sorrow
Mighty in sorrow
Mighty in sorrow
Mighty in sorrow
And where shall I go back there and back, furthest and far, to the edge of the
Shore
The snow falls thick his mantle of strength descends with a winter on those in
His service
The snow is the winner
Message of winter, your hope shall be crushed
The lightflame grows dimmer
Child's laughter ceases on a front with no ending
Within words with no meaning
Child's laughter sickens
Child's fever rages
Smoldering pages
Inquisition!
And I lie in the arms of a smiling girl who calls on Christ and the pale queens
Mighty in sorrow
Mighty in sorrow
Mighty in sorrow
Mighty in sorrow
Mighty in sorrow
Mighty in sorrow
Mighty in sorrow
Current 93 released Ballad of the Pale Girl on Fri Jan 01 1988.