"By the Sword" is a charity single released by Emilie Autumn in response to the events of September 11, 2001.

[2] All proceeds from the sales for the release were donated to AmeriCares and the American Red Cross.

Autumn described the concept for the title track as everyday heroes who fight for what is right joining together, explaining, "When I talk about the Round Table and such, I'm speaking metaphorically of course.

It's like, after 9/11, you might have gone into a shelter where an old woman was helping to feed parentless children, and for one moment, you might have looked at her and seen her in a breastplate with a sword hanging by her side.

"[2] She said the process of writing and recording the song, which was done the same day as the September 11 attacks, was "instinctual", stating "I felt I needed to help before I could allow myself the luxury to grieve.