[Intro] (Epic charging guitar riff, spoken with booming energy) From the Dakota badlands to the Oval command… Theodore Roosevelt, the force of the land! [Verse 1] October 27th, 1858, New York City born, Asthmatic boy fights back, body reformed. Harvard ’80 grad, boxing and books his creed, New York Assembly ’81, corruption he weeds. Tragedy ’84, loses mother and wife same day, Heads to Dakota ranch, cowboy way. Badlands toughen him, hunts and herds the steer, Returns east ’86, police commissioner clear. Assistant Secretary Navy ‘97, pushes for war’s fire, Resigns to fight, Rough Riders inspire. [Pre-Chorus] (Rising guitars and thundering drums) Cuba calls, the charge begins, San Juan Hill, the legend wins. [Chorus] Rough Rider’s roar, echoin’ through the land! Bully pulpit thunder, takin’ a stand! Spanish War hero, Great White Fleet’s might, Trust-buster bold, conservation’s light! Good and bad, he shaped the modern age, Nobel Prize winner, turnin’ the page! Speak softly, big stick in hand, Theodore Roosevelt, America’s command! [Verse 2] 1898, Spanish-American War ignites, USS Maine explodes, “Remember the Maine” fights. Rough Riders form, volunteer cavalry crew, Kettle Hill charge July first, breakthrough. San Juan heights taken, glory in the heat, Malaria strikes, but victory complete. Treaty of Paris ’98, Spain cedes the lands, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Guam in our hands. Governor New York ’99, VP in ’00 race, McKinley shot ’01, Teddy takes his place. [Pre-Chorus] (Guitars scream with power) Square Deal for all, the people first, Panama Canal quenches expansion’s thirst. [Chorus] Rough Rider’s roar, echoin’ through the land! Bully pulpit thunder, takin’ a stand! Spanish War hero, Great White Fleet’s might, Trust-buster bold, conservation’s light! Good and bad, he shaped the modern age, Nobel Prize winner, turnin’ the page! Speak softly, big stick in hand, Theodore Roosevelt, America’s command! [Bridge] (Shredding guitar solo over naval horns simulation, then full band blast) 1907, Great White Fleet sets sail, Sixteen battleships, world tour without fail. From Hampton Roads to Pacific shores, Show of strength, diplomacy’s doors. Russo-Japanese War ’05, mediates the peace, Nobel Prize ’06, conflicts cease. Conservation king, national parks he saves, Yosemite, Grand Canyon from the industrial waves. Trusts busted, railroads reined in tight, Meat Inspection, Pure Food Act right. Bull Moose ’12, shot but speaks on, Progressive spirit forever strong. [Verse 3] Two terms ’01 to ’09, reforms roll through, Personal feats: hunter, writer, leader true. African safari ‘09, specimens for the hall, Smithsonian gains from his adventurous call. Dies January sixth, ‘19 at home, Legacy of vigor, the nation he roamed. From Rough Rider charge to global fleet’s pride, Theodore’s achievements turn the tide. [Chorus] Rough Rider’s roar, echoin’ through the land! Bully pulpit thunder, takin’ a stand! Spanish War hero, Great White Fleet’s might, Trust-buster bold… yeah, conservation’s light! Good and bad, he shaped the modern age, Nobel Prize winner, turnin’ the page! Theodore Roosevelt… eternal command! [Outro] (Fade with gang chants and final explosive riff) Rough Rider’s roar… never fades! Big stick legacy… through the decades!
