Thunder Over Strongcastle

[Verse 1]
Smoke on the ridges, fire in the vale
The Gnar come howling like a winter gale
Stone walls broken, the gates near torn
But Strongcastle’s banner still flies in the storm
Steel on steel and the war drums roll
The sky burns red like a furnace of coal
Yet through the thunder his voice rings clear
“Stand your ground, boys—there’s no fear here!”

[Chorus]
Thunder over Strongcastle, hear the cannons cry
Redcoat guns are roaring in the burning sky
Hold the line! Hold the wall! Let the Strongcastle banner fly!
When thunder rolled on Strongcastle, the old lord did not break

[Verse 2]
Claws in the darkness, wings in the smoke
The Gnar beasts circle while the timbers choke
But the old lord stands with sword in hand
Like an iron oak in a dying land
Then far to the west through the cannon’s roar
Comes the sound they’d prayed for a hundred times before
Redcoat thunder and airships high
Breaking the black of the Gnar-filled sky

[Chorus]
Thunder over Strongcastle, hear the cannons cry
Redcoat guns are roaring in the burning sky
Hold the line! Hold the wall! Let the Strongcastle banner fly!
When thunder rolled on Strongcastle, the old lord did not break

[Verse 3]
The gates burst open in flame and dust
The Redcoats charge through smoke and rust
Through the shattered yard their banners ride
And Strongcastle’s children are by their side
Richard and Mark through the battle flame
Donna calling out their father’s name
David of Twosun at their side
Steel in hand as the Gnar divide

[Bridge (Quiet)]
The old lord sways where the courtyard lies
Firelight dancing in weary eyes
The battle fades to a distant roar
Like waves on some faraway shore
He sees them coming through smoke and flame
Hears someone calling his ancient name

[Final Verse]
They reach him there by the broken wall
Just as the Gnar begin to fall
He looks at them with a puzzled grace
A faint, half-smile upon his face

[music drops to silence]

“Took you long enough,” the old lord said

[slow drums return]

Then Strongcastle bowed his head
And the thunder rolled across the land
For the last of the dragon-slaying man

[Shouted Call]
STRONGCASTLE STANDS!

[Final Chorus (Legend Version)]
Thunder over Strongcastle, hear the cannons cry
Redcoat guns still roaring in the burning sky
Hold the line! Hold the wall! Let the Strongcastle banner fly!
When thunder rolled on Strongcastle, the old lord would not break

[Epilogue (Legend Echo)]
Some say the thunder that shook those walls
Was the same from long ago
When a younger lord faced Armageddon
And struck the killing blow
From dragon fire to cannon flame
One life held back the night
And the lord of old Strongcastle
Stood his final watch that night

[Final Line]
When thunder rolls, a Strongcastle stands.

Epic folk rock fantasy ballad, sea-shanty drive, gritty male vocal, cinematic war drums, heroic storytelling, triumphant