Battle Cry

Of late, there's a song that keeps playing over and over in my head. It started with just the music itself, but now it's the words as well. Over and over, like some kind of subconscious battle cry, echoing over and over inside me.

The first time I heard it was over the holidays, visiting family. My younger cousins brought their PS2 over, with the rather addicting rhythm game known as "Guitar Hero III" - which they insisted I try out. They were very insistent about it, and one cousin even presented the controller (shaped like a guitar) to me on bended knee, arms outstretched and head bowed.

Of course I had to try at that point. I mean, how could a fantasy-loving gamer such as myself resist such a powerful entreaty?

After much fumbling (accompanied by laughter and encouragement), I started to kind of get the hang of it. Still, there were other cousins about, and I relinquished the controller to others for their turns.

That's the first time I heard the song, as the cousins (and my brother) battled it out good naturedly, plastic guitar-controllers in hand and swaying to the music.

I don't know exactly what it is about the song. The refrain echoes in my mind, over and over and over. Resonating in my soul.

The band - Rise Against. The song - Prayer of the Refugee.

...and I can play it at Hard setting, and hit 94% now. Oh my poor blistered fingers and cramping hand.