Mark Strongcastle: Rogue of Hearts

[Verse 1]
They say Mark Strongcastle sails
On roads no map has known
With a grin like he’s just stolen gold
From a king upon his throne
There’s dust upon his boots and coat
And laughter in his wake
And every town he’s ever crossed
Still feels the trail he makes

[Verse 2]
He plunders hearts in every town
Like loot along his way
Leaves laughter driftin’ in the wind
By the break of every day
He never swore to break a soul
Nor meant to do no harm
But trouble’s got a steady grip
On that crooked, easy charm

[Chorus]
Oh Mark rides in like a midnight raid
Where danger likes to be
Plunderin’ hearts and stealin’ breaths
Like a rogue on a silver sea
He’ll laugh with fire, then face the dark
Where dragon shadows fall
A reckless soul with a restless blade
Who still will answer the call

[Verse 3]
He’s woken up in holding cells
And palace feather beds
Shared a drink with saints and thieves
And dodged what nobles said
A wink, a grin, a narrow escape
A rooftop in the rain
But when the cry of dragons comes
He’s first into the flame

[Verse 4]
The women say “Don’t trust that man”
Then watch him ride away
But every one still looks for him
At dawn or end of day
He never stays, he never will
The road won’t let him rest
But when the world starts comin’ apart
That’s when he’s at his best

[Chorus]
Oh Mark rides in like a midnight raid
Where danger likes to be
Plunderin’ hearts and stealin’ breaths
Like a rogue on a silver sea
He’ll laugh with fire, then face the dark
Where dragon shadows fall
A reckless soul with a restless blade
Who still will answer the call

[Bridge]
No flag he flies, no crew he claims
No harbor holds him long
But when the cannons start to roar
He’s right where he belongs
He don’t claim to be no hero
And he won’t wear no crown
But he’ll stand where others turn away
When the sky comes crashin’ down

[Verse 5]
He’s faced the brood of lesser beasts
And lived to tell the tale
Stood smilin’ in a dragon’s ash
With fire upon his trail
And though his luck runs thin at times
And death has called him near
He just tips his hat and walks away
Like he’s got no use for fear

[Final Chorus]
Oh Mark rides in like a midnight raid
Where danger likes to be
Plunderin’ hearts and stealin’ breaths
Like a rogue on a silver sea
And when the last great battle comes
And shadows take the wall
You’ll find him there in the thick of it
Still answerin’ the call

[Outro]
So lock your doors or leave ‘em wide
He’s trouble either way
Mark Strongcastle’s ridin’ through…
And he won’t be here to stay.

Outlaw fantasy country with pirate flair, playful male vocal, acoustic guitar, fiddle, cinematic rogue ballad