ENSEMBLE (whispering, gossip tone): Who? What? Him?! You’re kidding— NO! (local reporters scrambling) “Lincoln? The tall one?” “The lawyer from Springfield?” “The nobody? The rail-splitter?” “There’s no way—no way—NO WAY—” BIG HIT. ENSEMBLE: BUT HERE HE GOES! [Verse 1 – Reporters + ensemble] ENSEMBLE (rapid-fire): He was never in the running, he was never on the slate— Just a modest prairie lawyer with a REALLY funny gait. He had no machine behind him, had no dynasty or fame— But he shook off every failure and he WALKED BACK IN THE GAME. (wild cheers) [Verse 2 – Lincoln enters humble] LINCOLN (sheepish, rhythmic): I didn’t plan the thunder, didn’t seek the storming crowd— I just spoke the truth I carried ’cause the truth should speak aloud. I thought my time had ended, thought the world had closed its door— But the country saw a lantern and they asked me to burn more. [Pre-Chorus – Ensemble lifting him] ENSEMBLE (building): Dark horse rider— prairie fire— you weren’t meant to fade away… Dark horse rising— votes surprising— now the nation calls your name! ⭐ [CHORUS – Explosive, joyful, triumphant] ENSEMBLE + LINCOLN: Dark Horse Rising! From the fields into the fight! Dark Horse rising— gonna light the whole damn night! You were counted out and quiet, left forgotten in the rain— But a fire builds in silence and then ROARS across the plains! Dark Horse rising! Let the banners touch the sky! Dark Horse rising! Prairie thunder—hear it cry! LINCOLN (laughing): I guess a man can stumble— but a man can also fly! [Verse 3 – Convention chaos] REPORTER 1: “Third ballot—no majority!” REPORTER 2: “Fourth ballot—tension high!” REPORTER 3: “They ALL expected Seward—” REPORTER 4: “BUT THE CROWD IS TURNING—WHY?!” ENSEMBLE (chanting): They see honesty! They see fire! They see something reaching higher! They see courage! Prairie truth! They see rising in the youth! THEY SEE LINCOLN! [Bridge – Lincoln’s quiet human moment] LINCOLN (soft, overwhelmed): I’ve failed and I’ve fallen, I’ve wandered in doubt… But maybe the darkest roads are where the brightest truth breaks out. I don’t know if I’m ready— I don’t know if I’m strong— But maybe every misstep was a step here all along. [Final Chorus – bigger, faster, wilder] ENSEMBLE + LINCOLN: Dark Horse rising! Let the rafters shake with sound! Dark Horse rising! Feel the nation gather ’round! From a humble Springfield office to the stage where giants fall— When the country needs a leader it can choose the least of all! Dark Horse rising! From the shadows to the flame! Dark Horse rising! Now the world will know his name! LINCOLN (shouting with joy): For the first time in my lifetime— I can feel the rising rain! ENSEMBLE: DARK! HORSE! RISING!!
