10000 Maniacs Death Of Manolete Lyrics

Death Of Manolete Lyrics

[ lyrics: Natalie Merchant/music: J.C. Lombardo ]

there were women holding rosaries 
on the day manolete died 
teenage girls in soft white dresses 
standing silent peace respecting 
groups of boys held in their hands 
the fragments of a shattered idol 
the old men with their traditions challenged 
refrained from tears 

neck neck hook 
poles of wood 
the picadores stood eyes ablaze 
to view brutal contest 
in the vale of years 

courage unfailing 
agility exhausted 
youth entered challenge 
reached for title shelved 

patrons in attendance 
to disarm a common myth 
homage played to the victor of immortality 
cloaked in bold tones 

in the stockyard the beasts 
did climb their barriers 
bid by a frenzied ring 

bred for one purpose only 
to die in man`s sport 
dash against his spindle 

an instant fell to wounding 
on the day 
swords penetrating 
on the day 
torches igniting 
on the day 
flower wreaths encircling 
the day 
on the day