Death Of Manolete Lyrics - 10,000 Maniacs

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 Picadors 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