[Intro - strings building, low drums] [Verse 1 - measured, ominous] The lake effect clouds roll in from the north Gary steel mills fall silent Portage holds its breath tonight The forecast speaks of something more Wednesday brings the ancient war [Pre-Chorus - building, choir enters] From Merrillville to Michigan City No soul will be forgiven No scraper shall be spared [Chorus - epic, full orchestral] Winter is coming to the Region Salt trucks roll like cavalry Winter is coming, sound the horn Across the frozen 94 We who remain Shall shovel on WINTER IS COMING [Verse 2 - building intensity] The FIBs have fled back south to Illinois Wise men who know their limits But we were born for this Crown Point to Hammond, Valpo to the shore We've seen this fight before [Pre-Chorus - swelling, choir building] From every Strack & Van Til parking lot The chosen ones are rising Carts of salt and bread [Chorus - massive, triumphant] Winter is coming to the Region Lake Michigan shows no mercy Winter is coming, hold the line The wind chill drops to twenty below We who remain Shall shovel on WINTER IS COMING [Bridge - half-time, dramatic spoken over strings] *spoken, reverent* They said Wednesday They said six to ten inches They said wind chills you cannot fathom But we are not from Chicago We are not from the soft lands We are Region Rats And we do not kneel [Choir Break - building chant] (Region! Region! Region!) [Final Chorus - explosive, full choir] WINTER IS COMING to the Region! Snowplows ride at dawn's first light! WINTER IS COMING, raise your scrapers! Hammond! Gary! Portage! FIGHT! We who remain Through ice and pain SHALL SHOVEL ON WINTER IS COMING! [Outro - strings resolving, triumphant] Winter is coming... (To the Region) Winter... is... here [End]
