The black hooves sink into the sand, Salt breath rolls across the land. White foam gathers on the jaw, The bull leaves behind the Cretan shore. The salt-wet rope cuts through the hide, White waves break hard along the side. The bull resists the tightened line, And drags the hunter through the sand. [Pre-Chorus, The salt belongs inside the deep. The ocean-born will never sleep. The ocean-born will never sleep! [Chorus, The Bull of Crete! The rope cuts deep beneath the horns! The wet horns catch the morning light! The hunter holds the tether tight! The beast is dragged through bronze gates! The king retreats behind the gate! [Verse 2, The bronze doors shudder from the blow, The king gives orders down below. The tied beast snorts across the square, Salt spray is hanging in the air. The hunter drops the bloody rope, A servant lifts the wooden bar. The gates swing open to the plain, Black hooves run out beyond the wall. [Pre-Chorus The salt belongs inside the deep. The ocean-born will never sleep. The ocean-born will never sleep! [Chorus, The Bull of Crete! The water crashes on the stone! The Bull of Crete! The rope cuts deep beneath the horns! The wet horns catch the morning light! The hunter holds the tether tight! The beast is dragged through bronze gates! The king retreats behind the gate! [Bridge, The red rope lies across the stone. The palace doors are shut and barred. A servant pulls the wooden beam. The bull runs out across the green. The salt returns... The foam runs cold... The tide remembers What hands let go... [Final Chorus, The Bull of Crete! The water crashes on the stone! The Bull of Crete! The rope cuts deep beneath the horns! The wet horns catch the morning light! The hunter holds the tether tight! The beast is dragged through bronze gates! The king retreats behind the gate! The king retreats behind the gate! [Outro, Wet hoofprints cross the palace floor. The bull runs west beyond the wall. Seventh labor falls. [End]
