The rusted troughs stand in the rain, The gnawed straps hang from the chain. Red clay is pressed beneath the hoof, Smoke curls beneath the broken roof. The empty houses face the yard, The doors are split, the windows barred. Hot breath rolls out across the stone, Four hungry mouths begin to groan. [Pre-Chorus, Myrto... Doran... Call their names... Empty beds... Unlocked chains... Four hungry mouths begin to groan! [Chorus, Mares of the Red King! Steam is rising from the jaw! Mares of the Red King! Teeth are breaking rope and straw! The iron rings shake in the wall! The red clay drinks the blood that falls! No hand can lead the starving four! The stable shakes behind the door! [Verse 2, The king steps out with spear and hide, The black mane whips from side to side. The bronze blade strikes the stable post, The horses rear above the frost. The king falls down beside the chain, His blood runs dark across the rain. The feeding troughs are pulled apart, The teeth close down around the heart. [Pre-Chorus, Myrto... Doran... Call their names... Empty beds... Unlocked chains... The teeth close down around the heart! [Chorus, Mares of the Red King! Steam is rising from the jaw! Mares of the Red King! Teeth are breaking rope and straw! The iron rings shake in the wall! The red clay drinks the blood that falls! No hand can lead the starving four! The stable shakes behind the door! [Bridge, The jaws grow still. The chains lie slack. The rain runs black along the track. The empty houses face the yard. One broken spear lies in the dark. Myrto... Doran... The door is open... No one comes... [Final Chorus, Mares of the Red King! Steam is rising from the jaw! Mares of the Red King! Teeth are breaking rope and straw! The iron rings shake in the wall! The red clay drinks the blood that falls! No hand can lead the starving four! The stable shakes behind the door! The stable shakes behind the door! [Outro, The rusted troughs are washed by rain. Four quiet heads bend to the grain. Eighth labor falls. [End]
