[Verse 1] Dark the night Ash on the shields and the broken gate Waves of enemies Claw at the walls in a tightening ring Sinister screams Tear through the smoke where the torches bleed Every breath Tastes like iron and fear and defeat [Chorus] Hold the line Though the sky is burning Hold your ground Though your hands are shaking In the last cold hour before the sun Horns will rise Riders of salvation come Théoden comes Proud of the forefathers On [Verse 2] Stones remember Boots of the fallen on frozen flags Names unspoken Buried in dust and forgotten chants Eyes turned eastward Searching the black for a breaking band One faint echo Rumbles like thunder across the land [Chorus] Hold the line Though the sky is burning Hold your ground Though your hearts are breaking In the last cold hour before the sun Horns will rise Riders of salvation come Théoden comes Proud of the forefathers On [Bridge] Dawn cracks open the rim of the world Gold on the helms On the banners unfurled Ghosts of the fathers ride in his shout “Spears to the foe— Drive the darkness out!” (hey!) [Chorus] Hold the line Hear the bright horns calling Raise your voice as the fear is falling In the first wild blaze of rising sun Horns still cry Riders of salvation come Théoden comes Proud of the forefathers On Proud of the forefathers On
