Before the Dragons Ruled

[Verse 1]
Gather close boys, feed that fire
Let the cold night hear our tune
Before Strongcastle sailed the clouds
And before Jack kicked the moon
Before the Baywhar Babe took flight
With her steam and iron guns
There was a night in ancient Rome
When the dragon age begun

[Verse 2]
Old Valerian wore the crown
But his empire fell apart
Enemies were at the gates
Fear was eating at his heart
Then a stranger came with serpent eyes
And a quiet crooked grin
Said “I’ll save your throne and empire both
If you’ll let the fire in”

[Chorus]
That’s how the dragons came to rule
Fire traded crown for soul
One dark deal in a Roman hall
And the flames began to roll
Now the mountains hide the free
And the valleys bow in fear
Since the night the first man burned with wings
And the dragon age drew near

[Verse 3]
Rome survived a thousand years
With a dragon on its throne
But every king who heard the tale
Wanted fire of his own
Soon the skies were full of wings
Cities burning red and black
And the world was just a hunting ground
For the tyrants overhead

[Verse 4]
Then God sent riders out of light
Through the weys between the worlds
On great Wey Horses storming fast
With bright banners all unfurled
Their blades were stars, their spears were thunder
And dragons fell like rain
For a while it looked like men
Might see the sun again

[Verse 5]
But that snake-eyed devil walked again
Whispering poison lies
Saying “Steal their magic weapons boys
And their power will be your prize”
Men grew greedy, traps were laid
And the riders saw the shame
Most rode back beyond the weys
And the dragons ruled again

[Chorus]
That’s why the dragons rule the world
Why the strong still hide and fight
Why the free men curse the serpent’s lies
By the glow of rebel light
From the ruins of Rome to these hills tonight
The fire still hunts us down
Since the night a desperate emperor
Traded manhood for a crown

[Final Verse]
But there’s whispers in the mountain wind
That the story ain’t done yet
Strongcastle’s guns shook dragon wings
And Jack’s boots ain’t finished yet
If the riders ever cross the weys
And brave hearts still attack
The sky might break, the crown might fall
And the world come roaring back

[Final Chorus]
So raise your cup to rebel souls
And the day the fire is cracked
When dragons fall from broken skies
And the riders and Jack ride back

Outlaw country dark folk ballad, gritty storytelling male vocal, acoustic guitar, fiddle, harmonica