[Verse 1] The mountain mist is rolling thick across the ridge line tonight I lace my boots and tie my shawl and brace myself for the fight They think because our hands are worn our spirits will bow down low But we were built from granite stone where the wild laurels grow [Chorus] Oh, step into the valley, boy, and sound the gathering horn We stand our ground upon the earth where all our kin were born They might break our weary bones and tear the timber down But when the smoke clears off the ridge and settles on this town Win or lose, live or die, before the light turns gray— They will know that they have been in a fight today! [Verse 2] The river runs like iron now, the cold wind starts to bite No white flag flying from our porch, no stepping out of sight We don't ask for easy paths, we don't pray to run We fight the good fight till the end, beneath the blood-red sun [Chorus] Oh, step into the valley, boy, and sound the gathering horn We stand our ground upon the earth where all our kin were born They might break our weary bones and tear the timber down But when the smoke clears off the ridge and settles on this town Win or lose, live or die, before the light turns gray— They will know that they have been in a fight today! [Bridge] Let the banjo ring out sharp and clear! Let the fiddle wail our pride! There ain't no fear in mountain blood, No place for us to hide! [Chorus] Oh, step into the valley, boy, and sound the gathering horn We stand our ground upon the earth where all our kin were born They might break our weary bones and tear the timber down But when the smoke clears off the ridge and settles on this town Win or lose, live or die, before the light turns gray— They will know that they have been in a fight today! [Outro] Yeah, they'll know... Before the morning light... They have been in a fight! [Fade out]
