The Dreadful Hours is the seventh album by My Dying Bride released in 2001. It contains a remake of "The Return of the Beautiful" (renamed "The Return to the Beautiful") from the band's debut album, As the Flower Withers. Singer Aaron Stainthorpe has often cited that either this or "Like Gods of the Sun" is his favourite MDB album. "The Dreadful Hours" comes housed in a digipak with a full colour booklet.
Mother will you take me down?
I have become so afraid
Mother please, please take me down
I am sorry, your boy is not brave
Child just hold on. Night will soon be gone
Sleep if you can. But watch your father's hand
We do not want you. No-body loves you
Father of the dark. Tonight will greet you
God in heaven, can you hear me
Help me Oh Lord. They're coming for me
Mother warned me. Father scorned me
Oh my God No. Now I hear him
I claim your life on this night
within sight of your own God
The silence, the waiting then the pain
Oh child, sleep will be here soon
Your life has only ever been shame
And so young boy, my hand brings doom
Child, won't you awake. Father has gone