Through a process of absorption and conquest 

Rituals of blood to appease the divine 
Offerings of life 
To feed the gods' hunger 
Captured in battle or from tribute 
The war god is especially thirsty 
To invoke the spirits of the sun and war 
Prevention of plague, defeat, and famine 
A scene of darkness and death 
Royal libation of blood 

Waterfalls of red fall from the pyramid 
Producing lakes of blood 
Covering pits full of corpses, piled a hundred high 

Ritual sacrifice on a vast scale 
Never seen before or since 
Communion with superior beings 
The gods are thirsty, they must be fed 

With a steady supply of human hearts 
And Crimson offering 
The blood of sacrifice 
For expiation, and perpetuating life 

To honor the gods 
Of the earth, and the rain, and fire 

The horror, the honor 
Surrounded by the unworthy 
Spread eagle on a round stone 
Content to die 

Waterfalls of red fall from the pyramid 
Producing lakes of blood 
Covering pits full of corpses, piled a hundred high 
With an obsidian knife 
Chests are cut open, they're still alive! 

Removal of still beating 
Removal of still beating hearts 
Blood flows like rivers 
Bodies tossed to the bottom 
One hundred high 
So the sun will rise 

Through a process of absorption and conquest 
Rituals of blood to appease the divine 
Offerings of life 
To feed the gods' hunger 
Captured in battle or from tribute 
The war god is especially thirsty 
To invoke the spirits of the sun and war 
Prevention of plague, defeat, and famine 
A scene of darkness and death 
To ward off the fury and wrath