[Vocal: male, high-register classic British heavy-metal tenor, Received Pronunciation English, crisp non-rhotic diction, clear T pronunciation, powerful chest belts, metallic air-raid tone, aggressive clean attack] [Instrumental Intro | Plains flute | rattles] [Verse 1] Lodges lined the river, horses restless in the heat. Then dust rose from the southern grass, and hooves came through the stream. The charge drove toward the lodges, but riders filled the plain. From circles spread along the river, more were joining in. [Pre-Chorus] The firing rolled across the grass, the forward line gave ground. What came to drive the camp away was turning back around. [Chorus | powerful high belt | male unison responses] They came to scatter— (The attack came apart!) They came in hard and fast— (The attack came apart!) Across the river, across the grass, the circles rose to meet them. By the Greasy Grass— (The attack came apart!) [Instrumental Turn | Plains flute] [Verse 2] Back through the timber, back across the stream. The first attack climbed toward the bluffs, with riders at its heels. Farther north, by Cheyenne lodges, a second column showed. Men turned along the river bends, then vanished through the coulees. [Pre-Chorus II] No single voice had called them, no single hand had led. From south and north they gathered, where the second threat had spread. [Chorus | powerful high belt | male unison responses] They came to scatter— (The attack came apart!) They came in hard and fast— (The attack came apart!) Across the river, across the grass, the circles rose to meet them. By the Greasy Grass— (The attack came apart!) [Bridge | Heavier] The ridge was filling fast, dust swallowed where they stood. Their lines broke farther apart, as riders closed the ground. Custer's five companies were pressed from rise to rise. The space around them narrowed, with nowhere left to ride. [Guitar Solo] [Build] From the coulees, up the ridge. From the river, through the dust. The ground they came to cross was closing all around them. [Final Chorus | aggressive high belt | male unison responses] They came to scatter— (The attack came apart!) They came in hard and fast— (The attack came apart!) Across the river, across the grass, the circles rose to meet them. By the Greasy Grass— (The attack came apart!) They came to scatter— (The attack came apart!) [Outro] The firing carried through the next day, then faded from the bluffs. Lodges lifted by the river, horse herds turned toward the south. The Greasy Grass fell behind them, the trail opened ahead. The camp moved on. [End]
