On January 10, 49 B.C., Julius Caesar crossed the Rubicon River at the head of Legio XIII. The rest? History. I can’t help but wonder what Julius was thinking about at that moment. Anticipation? Apprehension? Whether he had remembered to pay his insurance premium? Regardless, here’s my take. Took some wrestling to get this one done, and in the end, I had two cuts I really liked, which is a good problem to have,
Something tells me this story will be revisited in our lifetimes in more detail.
Behind The Music:
All the songs so far are here (LINK).
As of today, you can buy ALL of them (except for those that just came out since Sunday, which will go live in a few days, and the parodies) anywhere you buy music by searching for “Wilder’s Hammer” or “Wilder’s Brigade”. Although buying them doesn’t support this blog, it does support the owner the LLC for the music. Who might also own the LLC for the blog.
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At the Banks of the Rubicon
By John Wilder
On the banks of that river, a cold wind whispers low
Legions wait in silence, at the dawn’s early glow
Enemies in the Senate, plot my downfall
Pompey calls for surrender, I hear a higher call
Years of conquest echo, Gaul’s blood fresh on my blade
Legion’s glory forged in battle, ambitions never fade
Yet doubt creeps like shadows, civil war’s the grim price
Rome’s streets run with Roman blood, a tyrant’s sacrifice?
The gods above are watching, fate’s thread in my hand
Turn away or cross now, and claim the promised land
Betrayal stings my spirit, loyalty torn apart
The Republic’s final breath, pierces through my heart
Bank of the Rubicon awaits, treason to cross that sand
Cross into storm, create imperial command
Thoughts of ruin, emotions clash like steel
Glory or the grave, seems so unreal
The Rubicon awaits, no way from this fight
For ten thousand years, men dream about the sight
Resolve ignites soul, courage feeds flame
For eternal Rome’s throne, I make my claim
Memories of triumphs, laurels on my brow
But rivals scheme in darkness, to strike me down now
The people’s voice is calling, they crown me in their cheers
Yet crossing means rebellion, and wars will bring tears
Emotions surge like tempests, pride and wrath entwine
Caesar’s heavy burden, a man or now divine?
What if failure claims me, exiled or in chains?
Or victory’s sweet nectar, flowing through my veins?
The river’s murmur taunts me, the boundary of my fate
A single step into the current, opens the Republic’s gate
Doubt and determination wrestle in my mind
The path to god or monster, leaving all behind
Bank of the Rubicon awaits, treason to cross that sand
Cross into storm, create imperial command
Thoughts of ruin, emotions clash like steel
Glory or the grave, seems so unreal
The Rubicon awaits, no way from this fight
For ten thousand years, men dream about the sight
Resolve ignites soul, courage feeds flame
For eternal Rome’s throne, I make my claim
Visions of the Forum, crowds in raptured thrall
Or skulls displayed in silence, a Republic’s rise and fall
My heart beats like a war drum, passion overrides
No more hesitation, the river calls . . .
decide
The Rubicon awaits, cross into the fray
Legions march behind me, Republic’s last day
Thoughts collide like lightning, I see fate’s wheel
A destiny to embrace, broken final seal
The Rubicon awaits, the die is cast



































































