Lyrics of 1589 by Powerwolf
1589, face the court of force divine
Filed under torment and fire
Terminate his fate on October 28th
Sentenced a werewolf, a beast
Deep in the night, when they hunted in hatred
Circled the wolf in the wild
And in pale lunar light, and the shape of a savage
Guided by anger they’re blind
Peter Stump was killed in twilight
1589 – Caught and filed sacrificed
1589 – In the name of the high and mighty
1589 – Torture awaits tonight
1589, said the murderer was lupine
Women and children devoured
Slayed on full moon nights, left but traces of the bites
One handed phantom unleashed
Creep through the night, in his fever and madness
Hunter and victim alike
Peter Stump was killed in twilight
1589 – Caught and filed sacrificed
1589 – In the name of the high and mighty
1589 – Torture awaits tonight
1589, with all spectators stand in line
Head off, break up this beast
Feast on his cries as the torture is calling
Hear as the screams tear the night
Burning flames of the pyre and the crowd, they are roaring
Stare as beheaded he lies
Peter Stump was killed in twilight
1589 – Caught and filed sacrificed
1589 – In the name of the high and mighty
1589 – Torture awaits tonight
Historical Background
Powerwolf’s song “1589” tells the haunting tale of Peter Stump, a 16th-century farmer infamously known as the “Werewolf of Bedburg.” The track brings to life the chilling events that led to his conviction and gruesome execution, offering a powerful glimpse into the fear and superstition of the era.
Peter Stump (also spelled Stumpp or Stubbe) was a wealthy farmer living near Bedburg, close to Cologne, in the late 16th century. During a time deeply rooted in superstition and fear of the supernatural, strange and violent events were often attributed to witchcraft or werewolves. Stump became a prime suspect following a series of brutal murders and attacks in the area.
The Accusations and Confession
In 1589, Stump was arrested and accused of witchcraft and lycanthropy (the ability to transform into a wolf). Under severe torture, he confessed to a litany of horrific crimes, including murder and cannibalism. He reportedly claimed to have made a pact with the devil, who gave him a magical belt that enabled him to transform into a wolf. These confessions, extracted under duress, likely reflect the intense fear and need for scapegoats of the time rather than factual events.
The Execution
On October 31, 1589, Peter Stump was executed in one of the most brutal manners imaginable. He was tied to a wheel, and red-hot pincers were used to tear flesh from his body. His arms and legs were then broken before he was decapitated, and his remains were burned on a pyre. This gruesome punishment was intended as both retribution and a warning to the public about the consequences of “witchcraft.”
The Song “1589“
Powerwolf brings this grim history to life in their track “1589.” Through their signature powerful riffs and dramatic lyrics, they recreate the atmosphere of terror and paranoia that defined the era. The song explores Stump’s arrest, his coerced confession, and his execution, immersing listeners in the harrowing events of one of Europe’s darkest historical chapters. The driving rhythm and haunting melodies capture both the brutality and the human tragedy of the witch hunts.
